The four suspects in the April 17 Carroll double homicide: (clockwise from upper left) Ricky Knickerbocker, Davide Coggins, Joshua McCormick and Steven Todd.
Originally posted April 22, 9:04 a.m.
Updated April 23, 9:05 a.m.
FREWSBURG – One of four men accused in the Carroll Double Homicide that took place in April 2013 has accepted a plea deal.
Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley tells WRFA that 19-year-old Steven Todd of Elmira has pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree manslaughter and as a result, he will testify against the other defendants.
“He pleaded about a month ago,” Foley explained. “We had been in negotiations regarding the potential of [Todd] turning state’s witness – becoming a prosecution witness – and we were able to work out a plea arrangement and he’s going to be cooperating with us now.”
Todd is one of four defendants arrested a year ago in connection to the home invasion and subsequent murder of Carroll residents Gordon and Joyce Skinner.
The three others are 35 year old Davide Coggins, 22-year-old Joshua McCormick and 19-year-old Ricky Knickerbocker. Coggins and McCormick are each facing two charges of first-degree murder, while Knickerbocker – who was 18 when the crime was committed – faces two counts of second degree murder, the maximum he can be charged with under state law because of his age.
Foley also told WRFA that with Todd’s plea deal, his office will now be able to focus on prosecuting the other three individuals.
“We’re looking to put together the best case that we can against the individuals that we believe are primarily responsible – that’s not to mitigate anyone else’s responsibility, but obviously we’re taking a look at the case in its entirety and are putting together the best case we can.”
Foley also explained to WRFA that even though Todd took a plea deal, he still will still face major prison time when he’s finally sentenced.
The four men are accused of driving from Elmira to Carroll and killing the Skinners during the morning hours of April 17, 2013 in their Wheeler Hill Rd. residence. Afterward, the four are accused of setting the home ablaze. Authorities have not publicly discussed a motive in the incident, although its believed Coggins may have had a previous connection to the couple and convinced the other three to make the three-hour drive in order to rob the couple.
Foley tells WRFA that each of the three remaining defendants are still scheduled to go to trial with Coggins being the first of the three to be prosecuted. His trial is scheduled to begin in September.
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