Murder, More Charges Filed In 93-Year-Old Man's Killing

PHILADELPHIA — Authorities in Philadelphia have apprehended and charged the man they said fatally stabbed a 93-year-old man earlier this month.

Coy Thomas, 53, has been charged with murder, robbery, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and related crimes in connection with the death of 93-year-old Lafayette Dailey, which occurred in the Logan section of the city in the first week of December.

Dailey was found dead in his home on the 4500 Block of North 16th Street at about 3 p.m. Dec. 5. He was suffering from trauma to the head and multiple stabbings to his chest.

Officers who were called to the home learned Dailey's white Chrysler 300 was not parked in front of the residence. Dailey's niece got a phone call from a neighbor on Dec. 5, saying Dailey hadn't been seen in about two days.

Additionally, the senior center Dailey regularly visited reported he had not shown up recently.

Surveillance footage at 16th Street and Wingohocking Street captured a Black man, later identified as Thomas, wearing a black jacket, white hoodie, red sweatpants, and white sneakers walking up the steps and onto Dailey's porch just before 11 a.m. on Dec. 3, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said.

About 10 minutes later, Thomas was seen getting in Dailey's white Chrysler and driving northbound on 16th Street from Wingohocking Street, according to authorities.

On Dec. 8, detectives were informed of attempted unauthorized transactions made using the Dailey's debit card.

A day later, police found Dailey's Chrysler at the 2500 Block of West Hagert Street. On that same day, police got a phone call from a man who said he bought the car from Thomas for $900, auhotiries said.

A preliminary hearing for Thomas is scheduled for Dec. 29.

"It is due to the exceptional work of Philadelphia Homicide Detectives and their use of video surveillance, license plate reader tracking, and other forensic evidence that Coy Thomas will be held accountable for this terrible crime," Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski, DAO Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit, said.

"It shouldn't be the case that Mr. Dailey, a 93-year old who is a staple to his family, friends, and community, is murdered so callously and senselessly right in his own home," State Sen. Sharif Street said. "I urge the residents of Philadelphia to reach out to public safety resources, including the DA's office and Philadelphia Police Department, to bring criminals like Coy Thomas to justice."