New trial for Ryan E. Coles, Deptford man accused of murdering his parents

A state appeals court has ordered a new trial for a West Deptford man who's been serving two 40-year-terms for killing his parents.

Ryan E. Coles was sentenced in July 2021 after failing to convince a judge at a bench trial that he was not guilty by reason of insanity.

But a three-judge panel on May 6 found a Superior Court judge had botched a hearing that led to the bench trial.

As a result, the ruling said, while Coles requested the bench trial, did not “knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently” waive his right to a jury trial.

Coles, who had a history of mental problems and lived with his parents, allegedly killed the couple in August 2016 after learning they planned to move to a one-bedroom home in a 55-and-old community, the ruling says.

Suspect charged in August 2018: Appeals court orders third trial on murder charge

It says Coles photographed himself holding sheets of paper with messages that included, “This hurts beyond measure,” “Please God, I want to die,” and “Pop him in the face.”

He also allegedly sent messages to an uncle, requesting help to assault his father.

A family member found the bodies of the parents, Rosemarie Coles and Edward Coles Jr., under a pile of laundry in their home’s foyer, the ruling says.

Coles told police he had beaten his parents on the previous night with his fists, a wooden chair and a glass bowl.

He also told investigators, “I'll never forgive myself for what I just did to my mom."

Rosemarie Coles, 55, was a deeply religious woman who enjoyed shopping, seeing movies and traveling, her obituary said. She previously worked as a dental hygienist.

She and Edward Coles Jr., 58, were former high school sweethearts who had a 34-year marriage.

An obituary for the husband said he played the clarinet and saxaphone, and was director of the Bonsal Blues Band. He also founded Coles Music Service and continued to work at its shop in Mantua.

The appellate ruling cited multiple errors by a judge who ordered the bench trial after a December 2019 hearing.

Among other problems, it noted the judge — whose name is not in the ruling — failed to properly question Coles and did not obtain a required signed waiver.

“The right to a jury trial is a fundamental right,” the ruling said. “As such, a waiver of the right to trial by jury should not be presumed.”

Among other points, it said the judge failed to tell Coles that a jury is made up of 12 people who must vote unanimously for a conviction. Coles also was not told he could participate in jury selection.

A “terse” exchange between the judge and Coles provided too little information for “principled decision-making” by the judge, it added.

“That failure is particularly egregious here” due to the gravity of the charges against Coles, the ruling said.

Coles was convicted after a six-day trial before a different judge.

The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office will pursue a retrial, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Ruling faults judge who ordered bench trial for Ryan Coles of Deptford