Georgia Woman Convicted of Murder After Claiming Accidental Shooting

The 911 Call and Initial Response

• 911 was called on June 23rd, 2021, in Cowetta County, Georgia, with a woman claiming she accidentally shot her husband, Luke Coe.
• Deputies arrived to find a chaotic scene in the master bedroom with significant blood.
• Cheryl Coe, the wife, was hysterical, claiming she shot her husband after mistaking him for an intruder.

Inconsistencies in Cheryl's Account

• Investigators noted inconsistencies in Cheryl's story from the outset, finding her claims didn't add up.
• Cheryl stated she had consumed several alcoholic beverages and taken migraine and sleep medication before the incident.
• She claimed the bedroom door was closed when she went to bed, but it was open when her husband entered.
• A significant time gap of approximately 11 minutes between when Cheryl claimed she went to sleep and when she called 911 raised suspicion.

The Marriage and a Volatile Argument

• The couple had reportedly been in an open marriage for about a year, which had caused tension.
• A major argument had occurred the day before the shooting regarding Cheryl's plans to meet someone.
• Cheryl stated they had a disagreement, and Luke had left the house after taking his motorcycle.
• They had not spoken much since the argument and slept on opposite sides of the bed.

Forensic Evidence and Contradictions

• Prosecutors revealed that the medical examiner found muzzle compressions on Luke's wounds, suggesting the gun was fired at close range, contradicting Cheryl's claim of firing from a distance.
• Cheryl's initial story about mistaking her husband for an intruder and firing from across the room was inconsistent with the forensic evidence.
• She later changed her story, claiming she fired warning shots at the ceiling and wall after Luke allegedly became aggressive and tried to drag her out of bed.

Trials and Conviction

• Cheryl Coe was charged with malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault.
• Her first trial resulted in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury.
• During her second trial, Cheryl reportedly admitted under oath to lying to the jury in the first trial.
• A jury convicted her of murder and aggravated assault, sentencing her to life in prison without parole.