Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Cephas Cowick Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2016 SC Murder of Denise Couplin and her Granddaughter Deziyah Davis

  1. #1
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    20,875

    Cephas Cowick Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2016 SC Murder of Denise Couplin and her Granddaughter Deziyah Davis








    State seeks death penalty for man accused of murdering 9-year-old girl, grandmother in Darlington Co.


    By Kaitlin Stansell
    WMBF News

    DARLINGTON COUNTY, SC - State prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty against the man accused of murdering a 9-year-old girl and her grandmother in July of 2016. A wrongful death suit filed by the family of the victims claims that the murders were related to drug use and other illegal activity taking place at the grandmother’s home.

    Cephas Cowick was served with the notice of intent for the state to seek the death penalty on June 6, 2017.

    Court documents said certain aggravating circumstances in the murders of Denise Couplin and her granddaughter, Deziyah Chatman, led to this change:

    1)The victim of the murder was under the age of 11.

    2)The murder was committed for himself and/or another with the purpose of receiving money or a thing of monetary value.

    3) There were multiple murder victims (2) during this incident.

    Meanwhile, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Cephas Cowick, his wife Katherine Baucom-Cowick, who is also charged with two counts of murder, and the estate of Denise Couplin.

    That suit was filed June 27, 2017, almost one year since the murders happened.

    The woman filing the complaint, Tonay Davis, is the mother of 9-year old Deziyah Chatman.

    Tonay is also the daughter of Denise Couplin.

    The lawsuit alleged had Couplin had “questionable involvement with illegal activity including drug use and associating with individuals who sold and used drugs, including Cephas Cowick and Katherine Baucom.”

    Tonay said in the lawsuit that, unbeknownst to her, Cowick and Baucom were often invited to Couplin’s home to buy or use drugs or other illegal activity.

    “Although the exact details of what occurred on Sunday, July 17, 2016, are still under investigation, it is believed that Denise Couplin allowed Cowick and Baucom to enter the home. Apparently some argument or issues developed in regard to the criminal enterprise which led to an argument and altercation leading to Cowick shooting both Denise Couplin and Deziyah Chatman,” the lawsuit claims.

    The family said they have incurred funeral expenses, loss of services, loss of companionship, loss of comfort and use of intestate’s society, anxiety, wounded feelings, shock, grief, mental anguish, suffering, sorrow and bereavement as a result of Deziyah’s death.

    “The plaintiff respectfully prays for judgement against the Defendants, for an award of actual damages, punitive damages, for the costs of this action, and for such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper,” according to the lawsuit.

    Both Cowicks have been charged with: two counts of murder; third-degree arson; criminal conspiracy; armed robbery with a deadly weapon; first-degree burglary; grand larceny less than $10,000; and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

    According to testimony from the prosecution at a bond hearing after the murders, the couple acted in concert in the deaths of Chatman and Couplin, shooting the grandmother and her granddaughter with a pistol while in a bedroom.

    Warrants allege the suspects went to the victims’ home for the purpose of robbery.

    It was also alleged the Cowicks stole Couplin's vehicle and later burned it in an attempt to conceal their crimes.

    http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/358806...-darlington-co
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  2. #2
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    20,875
    Bond denied again for man accused of killing 9-year-old Darlington girl, grandmother

    By Tonya Brown
    wpde.com

    Darlington County, S.C. (WPDE) — Bond was denied once again for Cephas Cowick, 24, who has been charged with the murders of Denise Couplin, 52 and her 9-year-old granddaughter Deziyah Davis.

    Judge Thomas Russo denied the request Thursday morning due to the seriousness of the charges against him.

    Cowick's wife Katherine Baucom-Cowick is also charged with two counts of murder in this case.

    Cowick was also officially arraigned on the death penalty charges Thursday morning.

    He was served back in July with the notice of state's intention to seek the death penalty against.

    Cowick was arraigned now that the state is officially seeking the death penalty against him and pleaded not guilty.

    Court documents say the state wants Cowick's case to be tried as a capital murder trial because of the following reasons:

    1. The victim of the murder was under the age of 11.
    2. The murder was committed for himself/and or another with the purpose of receiving money or a thing of monetary value.
    3. There were multiple murder victims (2) during this incident.

    The court records say the state could call the case for trial sometime in July.

    Cowick's attorneys presented 12 motions during the hearing, including allowing Cowick to wear street clothing during court appearances.

    His attorneys argued it would present a prejudice against Cowick to potential jurors to see him dressed in prison clothing and shackled at the hands and feet.

    Cowick had on street clothing Thursday and wasn't shackled.

    Russo said he would take the motion under advisement.

    The charges against Cowick come after Couplin and Davis were found shot to death at their home on Bobo Newsome Highway, also known as Highway 151, in Darlington last July.

    The incident report says,"there was forced entry made to the front door and the house had been ransacked. There was drawers open and the cushions to the furniture were pulled up and moved.”

    A supplementary narrative of the incident report says Couplin’s 15-year-old son said, "He does not know of his mother having any boyfriends but did state that recently she received several harassing phone calls from an individual named 'Cephas.'"

    Cowick is accused of taking Couplin’s car and burning it to cover up the crime. The car was later found on Birdsnest Road near Hartsville.

    Both Cowicks remain in the Darlington County Detention Center.

    http://wpde.com/news/local/bond-deni...rl-grandmother
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  3. #3
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    20,875
    Man charged in Darlington double murder won't face jury until 2019

    By Kaitlin Stansell
    WMBF News

    DARLINGTON COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - The man accused of murdering a young girl and her grandmother in Darlington County will face a jury in 2019.

    Almost two years ago, Cephas Cowick and his wife, Katherine Baucom-Cowick, were charged in the deaths of 9-year old Deziyah Chatman and her grandmother, Denise Couplin.

    However, it will be another year before Cowick will go to trial for his charges - two counts of murder; third-degree arson; criminal conspiracy; armed robbery with a deadly weapon; first-degree burglary; grand larceny less than $10,000; and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

    A scheduling order filed at the end of June states jury selection for a trial won’t start until August 19, 2019.

    Court documents say the trial is expected to last for about four weeks.

    State prosecutors have previously claimed aggravating circumstances in the murders, leading them to pursue the death penalty for Cowick.

    His wife, Katherine Baucom-Cowick, faces the same charges, but she was granted bond in December 2017. There have been no recent updates from her side of this case.

    However, they are both named as defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the 9-year old’s mother.

    The estate of Denise Couplin, the girl's grandmother who was murdered, is also listed as a defendant

    The lawsuit claims Couplin had “questionable involvement with illegal activity including drug use and associating with individuals who sold and used drugs, including Cephas Cowick and Katherine Baucom.”

    The civil case could be mediated by Dec. 7 or it could go to trial as early as Jan. 28, 2019, according to court documents.

    http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/385671...ury-until-2019
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  4. #4
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    20,875
    Trial date set for Darlington man accused in murder of woman, child

    By Tonya Brown
    wpde.com

    DARLINGTON, S.C. (WPDE) — A Darlington man charged in the murder of woman and child will be tried in August

    The trial of Cephas Cowick, 24, who has been charged with the murders of Denise Couplin, 52, and her 9-year-old granddaughter Deziyah Davis back in July of 2016 starts the week of August 19, according to 4th Circuit Solicitor Kernard Redmond.

    Cowick's wife, Katherine Baucom-Cowick, is also charged with two counts of murder in this case, but her trial date hasn't been set.

    The State is seeking the death penalty against Cephas Warren. Cephas has pleded not guilty.

    Court documents say the state wants Cephas' case to be tried as a capital murder trial because of the following reasons:

    • The victim of the murder was under the age of 11.
    • The murder was committed for himself/and or another with the purpose of receiving money or a thing of monetary value.
    • There were multiple murder victims (2) during this incident.

    The charges against Cephas come after Couplin and Davis were found shot to death at their home on Bobo Newsome Highway, also known as Highway 151, in Darlington in July 2016.

    The incident report says, "there was forced entry made to the front door and the house had been ransacked. There was drawers open, and the cushions to the furniture were pulled up and moved.”

    A supplementary narrative of the incident report says Couplin’s 15-year-old son said, "He does not know of his mother having any boyfriends but did state that recently she received several harassing phone calls from an individual named 'Cephas.'"

    Cephas is accused of taking Couplin’s car and burning it to cover up the crime. The car was later found on Birdsnest Road near Hartsville.

    Cephas has been in custody since his arrest at the W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center.

    https://wpde.com/news/local/trial-da...of-woman-child
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  5. #5
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    20,875
    Man charged in murders of Darlington woman, child to appear in court this week

    By Tonya Brown
    wpde.com

    DARLINGTON, SC (WPDE) — A man charged in the murders of a Darlington woman and child is expected to appear in court this week.

    Cephas Cowick, 25, who has been charged with the murders of Denise Couplin, 52, and her 9-year-old granddaughter Deziyah Davis back in July of 2016 in Darlington County is expected to appear in court Wednesday morning, according to Fourth Circuit Deputy Solicitor Kernard Redmond.

    The State is seeking the death penalty against Cowick.

    He has pleaded not guilty.

    Court documents say the state wants Cowick's case to be tried as a capital murder trial because of the following reasons:

    The victim of the murder was under the age of 11.

    The murder was committed for himself/and or another with the purpose of receiving money or a thing of monetary value.

    There were multiple murder victims (2) during this incident.

    The charges against Cowick come after Couplin and Davis were found shot to death at their home on Bobo Newsome Highway, also known as Highway 151, in Darlington in July 2016.

    The incident report says, "there was forced entry made to the front door and the house had been ransacked. There were drawers open, and the cushions to the furniture were pulled up and moved.”

    A supplementary narrative of the incident report says Couplin’s 15-year-old son said, "He does not know of his mother having any boyfriends but did state that recently she received several harassing phone calls from an individual named 'Cephas.'"

    Cowick is accused of taking Couplin’s car and burning it to cover up the crime. The car was later found on Birdsnest Road near Hartsville.

    Cowick’s wife is also charged in the incident.

    Cowick has been in custody since his arrest at the W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center.

    https://wpde.com/news/local/man-char...ourt-this-week
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  6. #6
    Administrator Helen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    20,875
    Man sentenced to life in prison for murders of woman, child in Darlington County

    By Tonya Brown
    WPDE News


    DARLINGTON, S.C. (WPDE) — South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Eugene Griffith sentenced Cephas Cowick, 25, to life in prison for the murders of Denise Couplin, 52, and her 9-year-old granddaughter Deziyah Davis.

    They were killed in July 2016 in Darlington County.

    The hearing was held via video conferencing due to coronavirus.

    Cowick pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, arson third degree, burglary, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, grand larceny and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

    The State was seeking the death penalty against Cowick, but rescinded it in exchange for Cowick's guilty plea.

    Fourth Circuit Deputy Solicitor Kernard Redmond said it was a very difficult decision to not proceed with the death penalty on the table.

    "It was a difficult decision on my part," said Redmond.

    Couplin's family addressed the court during the hearing.

    Couplin's daughter Tonay Davis spoke during the hearing.

    Davis said she was very upset about the way the investigation was handled and felt like she was left in the dark.

    The charges against Cowick come after Couplin and Davis were found shot to death at their home on Bobo Newsome Highway, also known as Highway 151, in Darlington in July 2016.

    The incident report says, "there was forced entry made to the front door and the house had been ransacked. There were drawers open, and the cushions to the furniture were pulled up and moved.”

    A supplementary narrative of the incident report said Couplin’s 15-year-old son reported to police, "He does not know of his mother having any boyfriends but did state that recently she received several harassing phone calls from an individual named 'Cephas.'"

    Cowick is accused of taking Couplin’s car and burning it to cover up the crime. The car was later found on Birdsnest Road near Hartsville.

    Couplin's son, Maurice Couplin, said the killings have changed his whole life.

    "This was very stressful. It dragged out for a long time. We wanted the death penalty. It took affect on the family. We are still going through stuff," said Couplin.

    Cowick’s wife is also charged in the incident.

    A trial date hasn't been set for her at this time.

    Cowick will soon be transferred to a prison with the South Carolina Department of Corrections where he'll serve his life sentence.

    https://wpde.com/news/local/man-sent...lington-county
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •