Long Island Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Ex-Wife and Her Boyfriend in $1.1 Million Home

A Long Island man accused of gunning down his ex-wife and her new boyfriend in their upscale home was seen scowling as he was led out of the 6th Precinct in Selden on Friday morning, handcuffed and wearing green hospital scrubs.

Daniel Cappola was dressed in green hospital scrubs with socks and no shoes. Dennis A. Clark

Daniel Coppola, 50, remained silent as he was escorted to a waiting police vehicle for his arraignment in Central Islip.

Coppola is facing two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly shooting his ex-wife, Kelly Coppola, 50, and her boyfriend, Kenneth Pohlman, in their $1.1 million home in St. James late Wednesday night.

Authorities say that before the attack, Coppola instructed his teenage daughter to stay in his car outside the house.

He then allegedly broke down the front door and went upstairs, where Kelly and Pohlman were sleeping, and shot them both.

Daniel Coppola (right), 50, did not respond to questions as he and another inmate walked out of the 6th Precinct in Selden. Dennis A. Clark

“He leaves her in the car, goes behind the bush … and he broke down the door, went up [and] did what he did,” Kenneth Pohlman Sr., the grieving father of the slain man, told reporters outside the home. According to Pohlman Sr., Coppola then returned to his car and told his daughter, “I killed your mother and Kenny.” Shocked friends of the family later called 911 to report the incident.

Coppola (left) is charged with two counts of second-degree murder for supposedly fatally shooting his ex, Kelly Coppola (right), Wednesday night. Facebook/Kelly Coppola

Coppola was arrested shortly afterwards at his home, which is about a mile from the crime scene. Following his arrest, he was placed under a mental health evaluation due to suicidal statements he made to authorities.

Kenneth Pohlman, Kelly’s boyfriend, was also killed during the attack. Facebook/Kenneth Pohlma

The killings occurred after a lengthy and contentious divorce battle between Coppola and his ex-wife, which had been finalised a year or two ago, according to Suffolk County Detective Lt. Kevin Breyer. The police had previously responded to a non-criminal dispute between the couple while they were still married, though no charges were filed at the time.

Pohlman’s family described Coppola as a “maniac,” with Pohlman’s brother, Tom Pohlman, alleging that Coppola had abused Kelly during their marriage.

Kenneth Pohlman had found happiness with Kelly Coppola after losing his first wife to cancer, and the couple shared the six-bedroom, four-bathroom home where they were killed.

The investigation into the double murder continues as Coppola awaits further legal proceedings.