Sodomy Accusation Pending in Redlands Kidnap-Slaying : Murder Suspect to Face New Charge

Sodomy will be added to the charges against transient James Gregory Marlow, 30, who along with his companion, Cynthia Lynn Coffman, 24, are suspected of last November’s kidnap-murder of a Redlands woman, prosecutors said Friday.

Marlow and Coffman, accused in the death of Corinna D. Novis, 20, of Redlands have also been charged with the kidnap and murder of Lynel Murray, 19, of Huntington Beach, who was abducted from the dry-cleaning store where she worked Nov. 1 and found gagged and strangled in a nearby motel the next day.

In both cases, Marlow and Coffman have pleaded not guilty.

After the first day of a preliminary hearing in the Novis case Friday in San Bernardino County Municipal Court in Redlands, San Bernardino County Deputy Dist. Atty. Raymond Haight said a sodomy charge would be added against Marlow.

The charge may be introduced to Judge John Arden as early as Monday when the preliminary hearing continues, according to San Bernardino County Dist. Atty. Dennis E. Kottmeier.

Marlow and Coffman are suspected of strangling Miss Novis on Nov. 7 after kidnaping her from the Redlands Mall parking lot after she agreed to give the couple a ride. About a week later, police said, Coffman led investigators about a week later to the woman’s body in a shallow grave in Fontana.

During Friday’s hearing, Dr. Gregory Reiber, the pathologist who performed an autopsy on Miss Novis, testified that he found a “V-shaped” impression on the left side of the woman’s neck and a fractured Adam’s apple.

Redlands Police Department fingerprint specialist Carlos Pimmental also testified that he positively identified Marlow and Coffman’s finger and palm prints on the hood, license plate, and ashtray of Novis’ car.