Prosecution's case against former Tampa Marine proceeds

Friday, May 21, 2004

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Coleman (right) is facing the death penalty.
The double murder trial of a former Tampa Marine sergeant continued Thursday, with a detective telling the court what James Coleman did as he lived in the same apartment with his girlfriend's dead body for a week.

Coleman, who was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, is accused of killing 19-year-old Jessica Hine and her 10-week-old baby, Devonte Coleman, in December of 2002. He is facing the death penalty.

More than two dozen prosecution witnesses have testified so far.

In court Thursday, a former coworker of Coleman's told the jury Coleman came to work after the crime and said they wouldn't have to worry about Hine calling MacDill Air Force Base anymore. That was before anyone knew Hine was dead.

Tampa Police Detective Richard Cochran testified he talked to Coleman the day of his confession and that he admitted Hine's body stayed in the apartment about a week and that he'd sit near her and watch TV.

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Devonte Coleman was 10 weeks old.

"I had asked him, 'Was this just with the body sitting right there on the couch beside you,'" said Cochran. "And he said, 'Yes, that's where the body was.'"

According to prosecutors, Coleman said he finally drove Hine's body out to Volusia County, where he dumped it.

Cochran also testified he asked Coleman why he put the baby's body in a freezer, and he responded he didn't want to see Devonte in the apartment by himself.

The defense is expected to begin its case next week.