Man Gets Life in Fatal Beating of Transient
A 20-year-old Oak View man was ordered Monday to serve a life term for fatally beating a homeless man and stabbing another man a day later.
Robert Coffman was sentenced for two unrelated assaults he committed in June 2000. The first occurred when he and three other teens stumbled over a sleeping James Clark, a 58-year-old transient, as they walked to a party near Surfers Point in Ventura. They kicked and stoned Clark, then stole his backpack and other belongings.
In addition to murder and robbery, Coffman was found guilty of attempted murder for the stabbing of Daniel McGrath, 19, a day after Clark’s slaying.
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