On Thursday, Hamilton County Superior Court 1 Judge Steven Nation sentenced Joseph Coccaro to nine years in prison for Coccaro’s involvement in the 2016 Westfield homicide of Corey Zimmer.
Coccaro
Zimmer was found beaten to death in a parking lot of an apartment building just east of the Kroger grocery store located near State Road 32 and Carey Road.
Coccaro’s sentence came after pleading guilty in December to aggravated battery and involuntary manslaughter.
During the sentencing hearing Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andre Miksha argued for Coccaro to receive the maximum term possible in the plea agreement.
“During this hearing we pointed out who Joseph Coccaro really is, the severity of the crime and the amount of brutality involved,” said Miksha to Judge Nation.
Coccaro’s attorney argued for Coccaro to be sentenced to work release. Miksha responded by stating, “You shouldn’t trust the defendant. He has a history of probation and parole violations.”
Brogden
Miksha also noted Coccaro had previously been convicted of theft and narcotics possession.
Coccaro’s accomplice, Shakka Brogden, was recently found guilty during a jury trial. Brogden is scheduled to be sentenced in March.