2003
Media Releases:
CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA INFORMATION
January 18, 2003
Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Pennsauken Police
Chief John J. Coffey reported that authorities arrested Elmer S. Goffney
Jr., M/22, of Pennsauken, late Friday night and charged him with Felony
Murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Christian K. Davis,
M/18, of Pennsauken. The victim's body was found Wednesday morning,
Jan. 15, 2003, in the Sunset Memorial Park on Union Avenue in Pennsauken,
by a cemetery caretaker.
A criminal complaint alleges that Goffney, of the 7300 block of Pleasant
Avenue in Pennsauken, and a co-participant went with the victim to
the cemetery at approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night, Jan. 14, 2003.
The investigation indicates the victim intended to sell marijuana
to the defendant and co-participant. However, the defendant and co-participant
had planned to rob Davis of the marijuana, believed to be approximately
one ounce.
During the course of the robbery, Davis, of the 7900 block of Grant
Avenue in Pennsauken, suffered a fatal wound inflicted by a large-gauge
shotgun fired from close range into the side of his head. Dr. Ian
Hood of the Camden County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the cause
of death to be the gunshot wound and the manner of death to be homicide.
The investigation continues, and an additional arrest or arrests are
possible, Sarubbi and Coffey said.
"This was a senseless act of violence that shows, once again, the
tragedies that can result from trafficking in narcotics," Sarubbi
said.
Sarubbi and Coffey praised the detectives from the Prosecutor's Office
and the Pennsauken Police Department whose efforts led to Goffney's
arrest. The defendant was being held at the Camden County Correctional
Facility in lieu of $500,000 bail, cash or bond. An arraignment is
expected to be scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, at the Camden
County Hall of Justice.
All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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