Judge Upholds Bail for Cinnaminson Man Charged with Murder

An elderly Cinnaminson man charged with murdering his wife earlier this month remains in jail after a Superior Court judge denied a bail reduction Monday.

Defense attorney Justin Loughery, of Camden, argued that his client, William Coggins, needs long-term care in a nursing or rehabilitation center due to serious medical issues and, as a result of those issues, does not pose a threat to the community, the Burlington County Times reported.

However, Judge Charles Little upheld Coggins’ $500,000 full cash bail, citing the seriousness of the murder charge, according to the Times.

Authorities accuse Coggins, 83, of stabbing his 81-year-old wife, Laura, to death inside their Westfield Leas home earlier this month. Mrs. Coggins’ body was found in the bathroom of their home. Mr. Coggins was also found with self-inflicted stab wounds to his torso and lacerations on his arms, in what appeared to be a suicide attempt, authorities said.

Authorities have not divulged a motive for the murder.

Neighbors said the couple was “very private” and that Mrs. Coggins was in poor health, and may have suffered from dementia.