Prosecutor says woman’s fatal shooting in New Canaan appears to be ‘intentional,’ not accident husband claims
According to police reports, Albert Kokoth — who was covered in blood — told responding officers that he had been showing his 75-year-old wife, Margaret Kokoth, a shotgun ... when, he claimed, he “accidentally shot her.”
STAMFORD — A New Canaan man told police his wife died in an “accidental” shooting, but prosecutors say there is mounting evidence to contradict his claims.
Albert Kokoth, 77, was arrested at his Down River Road home Thursday afternoon on charges of second-degree assault, seconddegree assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm.
But Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Cummings said more charges against Kokoth are expected.
“It’s now pretty clear that the defendant’s version of events is not consistent with the evidence. This appears to be an intentional act,” he said during Kokoth’s arraignment Friday in Stamford Superior Court.
Cummings did not specify what charges Kokoth may face in the future. He only said they would “match the severity” of the allegations in the case.
Police responded to Kokoth’s home around noon Thursday after they received reports of a shooting.
According to police reports, Kokoth — who was covered in blood — told responding officers that he had been showing his 75-year-old wife, Margaret Kokoth, a shotgun ahead of a planned trip to a nearby gun range when, he claimed, he “accidentally shot her.”
Officers asked Kokoth if his wife was still breathing, to which he responded by “chuckling slightly” and saying “Uh, no I don’t think she’s breathing,” the police reports said.
Kokoth’s daughter later said “her mother already knew of the shotgun,” which her father had owned for years, the reports said.
Kokoth’s son-in-law told police that he believed Kokoth has “a lot of mental issues,” the reports said. He said his wife had become increasingly concerned about her father in recent months due to his dementia, the reports said.
The son-in-law said his wife told him in the past month or two “if they don’t do something they’re going to find (Margaret Kokoth) shot dead,” the reports said.
A nearby neighbor told police he heard two gunshots from the residence Thursday afternoon — one shot followed by a second about 15 minutes later, the reports said.
With more charges expected, Cummings asked Judge Bruce Hudock to raise Kokoth’s bond from $100,000 to $2 million.
Kokoth’s attorney Mark Kratter argued his client, a retired aircraft engineer, is not a flight risk. He asked Hudock to instead consider a $50,000 bond, as recommended by the bail commissioner.
Hudock ultimately set the bond at $2 million, and transferred the case to the Part A docket, where the most serious cases are heard.