Eric Coxry, convicted of executing Coatesville barber, waives appeal rights
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Eric “Stroda” Coxry agrees to waive his appeal rights in exchange for avoiding the death-penalty phase of his murder conviction.
After ruminating over the weekend about the prosecution’s offer to take the death penalty off the table, a convicted murderer needed a couple more hours Monday morning before opting to avoid the risk of execution.
Eric “Stroda” Coxry, 35, of Philadelphia, who was found guilty by a jury Friday of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Jonas L. “Sonny” Suber, 33, of Coatesville, on Oct. 21, 2006, signed an agreement that waived his right to appeal his mandatory life sentence.
Once Coxry reached his decision – a process he acknowledged was complicated by his difficulty in processing the guilty verdict – Chester County Judge David F. Bortner moved to the sentencing phase of the proceeding, which included victim-impact statements.
Jonas Suber’s mother, Donna Suber Pendleton, said she was relieved that Coxry had not been permitted to act as “judge, jury, and prosecutor,” and she extended thanks to all of the people who had worked to bring justice for her son, who owned Platinum Cuts, a Coatesville barber shop. Her son’s widow, Bashera Grove, said Coxry’s brutal actions, which she witnessed, irrevocably changed her life and well as the life of the couple’s then 5-month-old daughter.
Grove said her daughter, who is now 7, sometimes hides so she can talk to her father’s photo. “I wish I could meet you … I wish I could kiss you,” Grove quoted her as saying. Grove also referenced a letter Coxry wrote from prison in which he swore to give his life to Allah if given the chance. “…Obviously he [Coxry] was lost when he did what he did,” Grove said, expressing hope for Coxry and his family that he would make good on that promise.
Grove said all Coxry had to do was ask her husband for money and he would have given it to him, even “not knowing him.” According to testimony during the four-day trial, Coxry received $20,000 from Shamone “Kadof” Woods, 31, of Coatesville, to have Suber killed. Woods was carrying out a directive from Duron “Gotti” Peoples, 35, of Coatesville, who had a grudge against Suber because he had slept with Peoples’ girlfriend.
In May, a jury convicted Jeremiah “Young” Bush, 26, of first-degree murder for driving Coxry’s getaway. Bush received a mandatory life sentence; Peoples and Woods are awaiting trial.
David P. Clark, part of Coxry’s defense team, said the tragedy of the case was exacerbated by Coxry’s troubled history. Clark stressed that Coxry’s background, including being virtually abandoned the first 15 years of his life, was not justification for the crimes but would have been used as argument to the jury that Coxry’s life should be spared.
Clark said Coxry’s father was in prison when he was born, and his mother, who had “a severe drug addiction,” died in 1998. Drugs were used openly in front of Coxry and his two brothers, Clark said, adding that the dining room table was used to cut crack-cocaine. Coxry, who was often beaten, also spent time at a shelter “that looked more like a prison than Chester County Prison.” Clark said Coxry, the father of three children, acted as a father figure for one of his brothers who went on to become a successful hair stylist.
Asked by Bortner whether he wanted to address the court, Coxry deferred to his attorney. “I think he said enough,” Coxry said.
In the end, two groups of about half-a-dozen grief-stricken friends and relatives left the Chester County Justice Center after Bortner pronounced the sentence, which included 20 to 40 years for conspiracy to commit murder and 10 to 20 years for conspiracy to commit burglary, terms that will run concurrently. Bortner then dismissed the seven women and five men of the jury, who had been waiting in case they were needed.
Deputy District Attorney Ron Yen, the lead prosecutor, said he believed the victim’s family was satisfied with the outcome of the case.
“I’m shocked,” said Diana Monroe, Coxry’s aunt, shaking her head. “This is not the child I knew.” Monroe, who traveled to West Chester from Fredericksburg, Va., said she hadn’t had contact with her nephew since his mother died. “I’m very sad, really sad for everyone, including Mr. Suber and his family,” she said. “We are praying for him.”
