BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
TOP PHOTO: Jeffery Coker is led from an Elmore County Courtroom Monday afternoon. His bond was set by District Judge Glenn Goggans at $1.1 Million.
ELMORE COUNTY: Jeffery Cofer, 59, had his first appearance in court this afternoon in Elmore County before District Court Judge Glenn Goggans.
Cofer is charged with attempted murder of an Elmore County Deputy and two counts of discharging a weapon which included firing at deputies and into occupied dwellings Saturday evening on Claud Road near Eclectic.
Cofer was explained his rights from this point forward, and did not have an attorney in the courtroom. He was told he has the right to request a preliminary hearing if he so chooses.
Cofer is accused of firing around 20 rounds at deputies, and into nearby occupied houses with one of those rounds striking an Elmore County deputy in the shoulder. That deputy was treated for his injuries, but faces other possible procedures, as the bullet remains in his shoulder, according to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin.
“We believe he is a danger to the public,” Chief Assistant District Attorney C.J. Robinson told Judge Goggans.
Judge Goggans asked about Cofer’s prior criminal record before the incident Saturday. Previous charges included a DUI and Possession of a pistol without a permit from severl years ago. “He does not have an extensive criminal history,” Robinson said.
On the issue of bond, Cofer requested a “reasonable” bond or to be let out on his own recognizance.
Chief Assistant DA Robinson said his recommendation for Cofer’s bond would be at least $500,000.
Judge Goggans told Cofer that he is not comfortable with releasing him on his own recognizance. He set Cofer’s Bond at a total of $1.1 Million to cover all three charges – $1 Million for the attempted murder and $50,000 for each charge of discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling.
Judge Goggans said he will not order a mental health evaluation at this time, but will leave that to the circuit court. However, he said even if there were a finding of mental health issues, he would be concerned allowing Cofer to be released. “I believe he is a danger to the public.”
After the hearing, Robinson met with media.
“Today was the 72-hour hearing, initial appearance for Mr. Cofer,” Robinson said. “The attempted murder is a class A felony, with range of punishment from 10 to 99 years to life. For the shooting into an occupied dwelling it is Class B and the range of punishment is two to 20 years.”
“Our argument to the court was clearly this was a violent offense. There was a gun used. It was discharged up to 20 times over the course of several hours. The stand off ensued and (Cofer) came out spraying bullets. In that process he was deliberately shooting at deputies. A deputy was shot. That deputy was taken for medical attention. And as the sheriff testified, the deputy still has a bullet lodged in his body. They are trying figure out how to remove it without causing further nerve damage. This was not a flesh wound. He was shot by this man.”
Robinson continued, “This is not like we don’t know who did it. We didn’t have to search for two weeks. It is him. So, in addition to that you are looking at a substantial prison sentence on the back end.”
Cofer’s Mental health will come into play at a particular time in the future, Robinson said.
The EAN reported that Cofer’s family had made several attempts to get him mental health assistance in recent weeks prior to the shooting and stand off Saturday.
“It may be a while before that issue comes up. I did ask the court if there is any counseling or mental health intervention, that if (Cofer) cannot make bond if he needs to be transported to a facility for any type of services, he is to be transported back when those are complete. That was put on today.”
