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A retired Massachusetts State Police detective and his wife will face charges related to the death of a 17-year-old at a graduation party at their Dedham home.
James and Leslie Coughlin appeared at a probable cause hearing in Dedham District Court where details of the June 6 incident at their Netta Road home were presented with the testimony of a Dedham police officer.
17-year-old Alonzo Polk of Dedham died several days after his body was discovered at the bottom of the pool at the Coughlins’ home. Polk’s family was present in the courtroom and sat on the opposite side of the courtroom from the Coughlin family.
The couple will face charges with reckless endangerment and procuring alcohol for persons under 21.
Coughlin’s Attorney Brian Kelly called Polk’s death a “terrible tragedy” that has devastated the Coughlins.
“They are heartbroken by what’s happened, but not every accident is a crime,” he said.
Kelly said Polk was an “outstanding young man and was a welcome guest” to the party. Kelly said that “Polk did not drink alcohol at this party.” In fact, Kelly said Polk was not a drinker and was observed drinking water at the party.
Kelly sought to dismiss the reckless endangerment charge saying it was without merit.
“He’s not a drinker and he’s 10 days shy of his eighteenth birthday, so it’s unfair to suggest that he was a toddler unsupervised by a pool,” he said. “That’s not what happened.”
Coughlin’s attorney suggested that Polk, who did not swim, may have been pushed in the pool.
He said Coughlin and the other adults were inside the house. When they heard the commotion outside, Kelly said, the retired state police detective rushed to Polk to administer CPR.
Dedham Police Sgt. Michael Feeley read a report prepared by a Dedham police detective, which said the arriving officer “observed many empty beer cans on the patio and tables.” Feeley also noted the report showed that “many of the guests were not of age to consume alcohol.” The report described a pool light that was not operational.
The magistrate disagreed with the Coughlins’ attorney and determined there was enough evidence for a formal arraignment. An arraignment date is expected in the coming weeks.
Outside the courtroom, Roshawn Drane, Alonzo Polk’s brother, was surrounded by family and friends when he spoke to reporters. He said that he’s pleased the case is moving forward.
“It’s one step of the law to a long road, and I just want to make sure in this long road that there’s justice for Alonzo,” he said.
Coughlin is widely known in political circles. He unsuccessfully ran for Norfolk Sheriff last November.
