HANOVER COUNTY, Va. — A jury has found 27-year-old U.S. Naval Officer Emmanuel Coble guilty on all five felony charges in the 2022 killing of his pregnant girlfriend, Raquiah King.
Coble was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of murder, murder of a pregnant woman, first-degree killing of a fetus, and concealing or transporting a body after several hours of jury deliberation.
The verdict came after Coble took the stand and admitted to killing King with his gun during a fight, then transporting her body from Hampton to Hanover County, where he dumped it in the woods. Despite his admission, Coble claimed her death was an accident.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing King had told her mother she feared Coble, who wanted her to have an abortion.
Voice recordings and text messages revealed that on the day of the killing, King had chosen to seek medical care to continue her pregnancy rather than terminate it as Coble had planned.
"To know that that guy thought he was going to get away with it, it just feels good, it puts icing on the cake," Raquiah King's brother Gregory said.
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In the months leading up to trial, Coble switched between attorneys and self-representation.
He started the trial as his own attorney and selected the jury, gave his opening statement, and cross-examined eight witnesses.
Coble repeatedly claimed in court that attorneys and police were conspiring against him.
The judge said Wednesday that he had waived his right to self-representation and was attempting to manipulate the court and jury.
"He used lots of delay tactics, continuances to keep this case going and drew it out so it took a lot to bring this case across the finish line," Hanover Commonwealth’s Attorney Mackenzie Babichenko said following the conviction.
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Coble's attorney and family declined to comment after the verdict. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced in July.
King’s family shared their gratitude to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, jury, and community for helping their family get justice.
"She was a ray of sunlight she was fun, beautiful courageous and strong," Gregory said. "I’m just grateful for everything."
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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