Supreme Court to hear appeal

Elyria man serving 34 years for 2013 shooting death

An Elyria man currently serving 34 years in prison for the shooting death of his girlfriend’s best friend in 2013, was granted a delayed appeal Oct. 11 by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Tove Adams, 47, was found guilty by a 12-member Lorain County Common Pleas Court jury of one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and single counts count of tampering with evidence and having weapons while under disability May 8, 2015, for the shooting death of 48-year-old Anthony L. Coats.

According to court filings, Adams previously filed an appeal on seven assignments of error, which were all denied March 31.

Adams missed the July deadline to file another

appeal, claiming his documents were returned because he failed to include a stamped copy of the decision for his former appeal, he wrote in his motion for a delayed appeal.

The proper paperwork was filed Aug. 22 and the court has chosen to hear the appeal.

Adams is required to file a memorandum in support of the court having jurisdiction over the case in 30 days, according to filings.

According to statements by Elyria police at the time of Adams’ original trial, he was upset because he believed his girlfriend was “fooling around” with Coats.

On June 2, 2013, Coats was dropping the woman off at her home after an evening out.

Adams, who was parked around the corner, exited his vehicle and fired four or five rounds at Coats’ car while Coats was in it, police said.

After being struck with a bullet, Coats was able to drive a short distance before striking a utility pole, detectives said.

Coats was transported to what is now University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, 630 River St., where he later died of his injuries.

Adams was taken into custody the next day, police said.