Thirty-four years after the racially-charged torture and murder of a young Spalding County African-American man, Timothy Coggins, both of his accused murderers, who are white, have now been convicted.
Law enforcement reopened the cold case that haunted the victim's family for decades. Prosecutors said Coggins was dragged behind a truck and killed, after he went on a date with a white woman.
Thursday, William Moore pleaded guilty. A Spalding County jury found his co-defendant, his brother-in-law Frankie Gebhardt, guilty this past June.
The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI reopened the case two years ago and they discovered crucial evidence. On Thursday, Moore admitted in court that he helped Gebhardt attack, torture and kill Coggins, in what prosecutors painted as a racially motivated hate crime.
Moore was sentenced to 20 years in prison, plus ten years probation. Gebhardt was sentenced in June to life plus 30 years in prison.
District Attorney Ben Coker and Chief Assistant District Attorney Marie Broder told 11Alive that the Coggins’ family agreed to Moore pleading guilty instead of standing trial.
In court, Coggins’ niece Heather Coggins looked Moore in the eyes.
"[She] actually spoke to Mr. Moore and forgave him, and I think that showed great compassion on her part and on the family’s part," Coker said.
“This has been a very difficult journey for them, and they were ready to close this chapter to begin the process of healing," Broder said.
“I think justice was served by the conviction of Franklin Gebhardt, and the guilty plea of Bill Moore here today," Coker said.
Three more people face prosecution charged with hindering law enforcement investigators after the case was reopened two years ago.
