cover of episode The Haunting of David Coffin

The Haunting of David Coffin

2024/12/10
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48 Hours

Key Insights

Why was David Coffin's death initially believed to be caused by the fire?

Firefighters found David Coffin's body on his back, which is unusual for fire victims who typically try to crawl out, leading them to believe he was killed before the fire started.

What was the key detail that made police suspect Scott Davis in David Coffin's murder?

Scott Davis claimed he knew David died from a gunshot wound, a detail that wasn't publicly known at the time, raising suspicion.

What was the motive behind David Coffin's murder according to the prosecution?

Scott Davis was jealous of David Coffin's relationship with his estranged wife, Megan Lee, and saw him as a threat to his marriage.

How did Scott Davis's alleged obsession with Megan Lee manifest in the weeks leading up to David Coffin's murder?

Scott called Megan's apartment repeatedly during the weekend she spent with David, up to 30 times on Saturday night, showing clear signs of fixation.

What was the significance of the Porsche being found burned after David Coffin's murder?

The Porsche was stolen during the initial break-in at David's house and was found burned the morning after his murder, complicating the timeline of Scott Davis's alleged involvement.

Why did the prosecution believe Scott Davis's story about being attacked was fabricated?

Police found no evidence to support Scott's claims of being ambushed, such as shell casings or signs of a struggle, leading them to believe he was trying to create an alibi.

What was the turning point in the case that led to Scott Davis's re-arrest in 2005?

Prosecutor Sheila Ross reopened the case as part of a cold case unit, and despite a lack of new evidence, Scott was indicted again based on the original suspicions.

How did Megan Lee's testimony impact the case against Scott Davis?

Megan testified that Scott told her David had been shot in the head, a detail she couldn't have known otherwise, which was crucial in linking Scott to the crime.

What was the final verdict in Scott Davis's murder trial?

Scott Davis was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

How did David Coffin's father feel about the outcome of the trial?

David Coffin Sr. was relieved and felt justice was finally served after a decade-long fight to keep the case active.

Shownotes Transcript

In December 1996, Atlanta resident David Coffin returned home from a weekend away with his girlfriend, Megan Lee, to find it had been ransacked and his Porsche was stolen. Two days later, David's house caught on fire and he was found dead inside. Police zeroed in on Scott Davis, Megan's estranged husband, as a suspect when he revealed he knew David died from a gunshot wound and not due to the fire. “48 Hours" correspondent Maureen Maher reports. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 6/19/2007. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+.

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