Truer Crime: The Timothy Coggins Case
Host: Celisia Stanton
Season: 2, Episode: Timothy Coggins
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Introduction
In the season finale of Truer Crime, host Celisia Stanton delves deep into the haunting and unresolved murder of Timothy Coggins, a 23-year-old Black man whose brutal death in 1983 highlighted systemic racism and the challenges of attaining justice in rural Georgia. This episode not only unpacks the harrowing details of Tim's case but also explores the enduring impact on his family and the broader implications for true crime storytelling.
Background of Timothy Coggins
Timothy Coggins was a beloved member of his large family in Spaulding County, Georgia. Described by his niece Heather Coggins as "the life of any party," Tim was known for his vibrant personality, love for music, and unwavering dedication to his family. His sister Talisa Coggins shared, “There was nothing my grandmother could ask of him that he wouldn't do.”
Notable Quote:
“He was a young guy who looked after his mom and sisters. There was nothing my grandmother could ask of him that he wouldn't do.”
— Heather Coggins [11:10]
The Crime and Initial Investigation
On the morning of October 9, 1983, while his sister was enjoying a typical Sunday morning, Tim was found brutally murdered beneath a community-known oak tree, ominously referred to as the "hanging tree." His body bore multiple stab wounds, some arranged in an unsettling X pattern reminiscent of the Confederate flag, signaling a possible racial motive behind the attack.
The initial investigation was fraught with challenges. Local law enforcement, already troubled by racial tensions in the area, struggled to make progress. Deputy Oscar Jordan and Jesse Gates, two Black deputies, were assigned to assist but were soon removed from the case by their superiors, effectively halting the investigation.
Notable Quote:
“You have to live in fear when you don’t know who did it.”
— Heather Coggins [20:00]
Family Suspicion and Racial Tensions
The Coggins family harbored deep suspicions from the outset, believing that Tim's murder was racially motivated. Tim had been openly associating with white individuals, including dancing with Ruth "Mickey" Elizabeth Gay, a white woman at the People's Choice Club—a predominantly Black venue. This behavior was unusual for the time and place, further fueling the family's fears.
Notable Quote:
“Tim was a free spirit, the kind of guy who led the life he wanted to live. You couldn't tell him who he was allowed to spend time with.”
— Talisa Coggins [15:00]
Reopening the Case: A New Lead
Three decades later, in February 2016, Special Agent Jared Coleman of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reopened Tim's case. A pivotal moment came when a letter surfaced from Christopher Vaughn, the 10-year-old boy who had discovered Tim's body in 1983. Vaughn admitted involvement in the murder, implicating Frankie Gebhart and Bill Moore Sr. as the perpetrators.
Notable Quote:
“I want to make sure everyone gets home safely. This was confirmation to the family that 34 years later, Tim made it home.”
— Tyrone Coggins [40:00]
The Trial and Conviction
The reopening of the case led to the arrest and trial of Frankie Gebhart and Bill Moore Sr. Despite decades passing, physical evidence was unearthed from a well near Gebhart's trailer, including the murder weapon—a knife—with cuts matching Tim's wounds. While Bill Moore Sr. pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a lesser sentence, Frankie Gebhart faced a full trial.
During the trial, the prosecution presented overwhelming witness testimonies, with over a dozen individuals claiming Gebhart had confessed to the murder. Although Gebhart's defense argued the unreliability of these witnesses, the sheer volume and consistency of their accounts, coupled with the recovered evidence, led to his conviction on multiple charges, including malice murder and felony murder.
Notable Quote:
“Frankie was convicted on every charge brought against him. Finally, justice for Tim.”
— Celisia Stanton [41:22]
Emotional Impact and Closure
The conviction of Frankie Gebhart brought a sense of closure to the Coggins family, allowing them to finally honor Tim properly. The family reunited in an emotional moment, embracing those responsible for their grief and finding solace in the long-awaited justice.
Notable Quote:
“We remember some of the words Tim used to say, but you can't remember. How did he sound? He had a big, joyful laugh, but how did he sound again?”
— Heather Coggins [20:00]
Historical Context and Systemic Racism
Celisia Stanton emphasized the broader historical context of Tim's murder, noting that racist violence against Black individuals has been a persistent issue in America. The Equal Justice Initiative's findings on lynchings between 1877 and 1950 underscored the systemic nature of such brutality, with Georgia ranking second only to Mississippi in the number of lynchings.
Notable Quote:
“This history and that, I think is something worth sitting with. Because this story, Tim's story, it's not an exception. It's a brutal thread in a long worn pattern of violence.”
— Celisia Stanton [30:34]
Behind the Scenes and Action Items
In wrapping up the episode, Celisia Stanton shared insights from her research and interactions with the Coggins family. She highlighted Heather Coggins' desire to see her uncle's story adapted into a major motion picture to ensure his legacy endures. Additionally, Celisia encouraged listeners to support the Equal Justice Initiative's Community Remembrance Project, which memorializes victims of racial violence and educates communities about racial injustice history.
Notable Quote:
“When you forget what happened, when you forget your history, it repeats itself.”
— Heather Coggins [45:13]
Conclusion
The Timothy Coggins case serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring struggles against racial violence and the importance of persistent advocacy in seeking justice. Through meticulous storytelling and emotional interviews, Truer Crime not only sheds light on Tim's tragic story but also calls listeners to remember and act against the patterns of injustice that continue to affect communities today.
Supporting the Cause
Listeners are encouraged to:
- Share Tim's Story: Spread awareness within personal networks.
- Follow on Social Media: Engage with Truer Crime on Instagram, X, and TikTok.
- Support the Equal Justice Initiative: Donate to the Community Remembrance Project at eji.org.
Credits
Truer Crime is created, hosted, and written by Celisia Stanton, produced by Tenderfoot TV in association with Odyssey. Additional writing and research by Olivia Heusingfeld, with executive production by Celisia Stanton, Donald Albright, and Payne Lindsay. For more episodes, visit TrueOrCrimePodcast.com or search Tenderfoot TV on your favorite podcast app.