The saga in the 1983 murder of Timothy Coggins has taken another turn.
According to arrest warrants obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a part-time police officer and his mother tried to help a Spalding County man avoid arrest in the decades-old killing.
Lamar Bunn advised Frank Gebhardt on “methods to prevent the collection of DNA,” according to warrants. Lamar, 32, also met with former investigators to hinder law enforcement from obtaining information related to the death of Coggins.
A part-time police officer in Milner, Lamar is currently on unpaid, active suspension pending the outcome of the investigation, according to Milner police Chief Michael Bailey.
His mother, Sandy, 61, advised Gebhardt on methods to “prevent and obstruct evidence” relating to Coggins’ death, according to warrants.
Lamar and Sandy Bunn were charged with obstruction of justice. Both posted bonds of $706.75 on October 13, the AJC previously reported.
Coggins’ lifeless body was found on a grassy stretch of land just off Highway 19 in Spalding County in October 1983. The 23-year-old was brutally stabbed.
The cold case was cracked open earlier this year after police say they received new information that led them to the suspects. Police say they believe race was one of the motives in the slaying.
Property records show that Sandra Bunn owned a property on Patterson Road that Gebhardt has lived in. Lamar Bunn currently owns the property. Court records also show Sandra Bunn put a lien on Gebhardt in 2003, the AJC previously reported.
Gebhardt, 59, and Bill Moore Sr., 58, were charged with murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and concealing a body. They are being held in Spalding County without bond.
A fifth person, Gregory Huffman, 47, was charged with violation of oath of office and obstruction of justice. He was released after posting a total of $35,000 in bond. Huffman was formerly employed with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Department.
Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix said more arrests in connection to the 34-year-old cold case could be coming.
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