Estate of fatally shot St. James man sues accused killer over 'wanton and unlawful act'

The estate of a slain St. James man has filed a civil suit against the man accused of fatally shooting him and his girlfriend — the alleged killer's ex-wife.

The lawsuit filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court by John Pohlman, the executor of Kenneth Pohlman Jr.’s estate and the deceased’s brother, said accused gunman Daniel Coppola robbed Pohlman’s three children, parents and siblings of financial support, guidance and companionship.

Suffolk police and prosecutors said Coppola, 50, fatally shot his ex-wife Kelly Coppola, 50, and Pohlman, 53, at the couple’s home on Brasswood Road in St. James on Aug. 28.

The complaint says Pohlman’s survivors are seeking unspecified damages for the pain and suffering Coppola caused by his "willful, wanton and unlawful act."

"At the time of his death, Kenneth G. Pohlman Jr. was 53 years old, in good health, and had a reasonable expectation of continued life, love and support for his family," the lawsuit said.

Sandra Radna, the attorney for the estate, did not return a call for comment.

"It is a very sad situation, and his [Pohlman's] children and his family have every right to do what they need to do," said Steve Politi, one of Coppola's attorneys. 

Coppola pleaded not guilty on Sept. 6 to four counts of first-degree murder from a bed at Stony Brook University Hospital. Two of the charges are directly linked to the deaths of his ex-wife and Pohlman. The other charges alleged that the victims died while Coppola was committing another crime, second-degree burglary.

Coppola, 50, was injured in an intentional fall earlier this month while on suicide watch after making his way up a set of stairs at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, multiple sources told Newsday. Vicki DiStefano, a spokeswoman for Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr., confirmed an inmate was injured during a "self-inflicted incident" on that date but declined to identify the person.

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has not explained how an inmate on suicide watch was able to injure himself, but Politi and co-counsel John Halverson told reporters earlier this month that they had not seen evidence of negligence or misconduct by correction officers.

A spokeswoman for the New York State Commission of Correction told Newsday earlier this month that Suffolk jail officials had reported the suicide attempt and the incident was under review.

The attorneys said Coppola underwent spinal cord surgery at the hospital after the suicide attempt and suffered paralysis as a result of his injuries.

"Any likelihood of him ever walking again is very low," Politi said. 

Coppola remains hospitalized, where Politi said he is receiving excellent care. 

Suffolk police said that Coppola texted his daughter — who was staying with his ex-wife and Pohlman in St. James — and asked her to come out of the house shortly before midnight on Aug. 28.

Coppola then shot his way through the lock on the front door and went upstairs, where he "ambushed and executed" the couple in the hallway, authorities have said.

Coppola then drove the teen to his Harbor Road address, where he threatened to take his own life with the gun, police said. The teen placed a 911 call saying she was being taken from her mother’s home, officials said.

The girl again called 911 for help over her father’s suicidal threats, prompting police to respond to Harbor Road, where, according to police, he was recorded on a police officer’s body camera admitting to the killings.

Police also arrived at the Brasswood Road address, where they found the door forced open and the couple dead of gunshot wounds, officials said.