The Probable Cause Affidavit signed by Judge Dean Colvin on November 6th for an arrest warrant for Maeson Lee Coffin may offer additional details into what we now know is the death of Paul Costello on Lincoln Highway west of Plymouth.
The issue began when Costello’s family members went to the farm on Saturday, concerned that they hadn’t seen Paul in approximately two weeks. Checking the property they located Paul’s body outside one of the out buildings northwest of his residence. His body was in a seated position with a blue plastic drum over his upper torso and a large piece of sheet metal across his lower torso as in an attempt to hide the body.
County Police were able to track Costello’s cell phone and the last location on November 3rd was near Watertown, NY.
On November 6th Detective Snyder met with a tipster who reported that Gauvin Monaghan was in possession of the stolen vehicle and at his mother’s residence in New York. The tipster said Monaghan was living at the rental house immediately east of Mr. Costello’s home with Maeson Coffin. The tipster said on October 27th Mr. Costello had come to collect the rent that the pair hadn’t been paying. There was an argument and the tipster said Gauvin was extremely mad and said I should just kill Paul Costello and steal his car.
This information lead County Police to contact the Watertown Police who drove by Monaghan’s mother’s residence and observed the stolen vehicle in the driveway.
All of this information led police to seek the arrest warrant for Mason Lee Coffin for Auto Theft as a level 6 felony.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
