Lawyer: Ex-state trooper attacked outside court after sentencing in 2021 drowning of Dedham teen

DEDHAM, Mass. — A retired Massachusetts State Police captain was attacked outside of Dedham District Court on Monday after he and his wife were sentenced on charges after the 2021 drowning death of 17-year-old Alonzo Polk during a high school graduation party at their home, his attorney said.

James Coughlin was assaulted in the middle of the street in Dedham once he stepped out of court after his sentencing, said Attorney Brian Kelly, who is representing the former state police captain and his wife.

“It was basically an unprovoked assault on the streets of Dedham, right in front of the courthouse,” Kelly said. “Two individuals snuck up from behind him, punched him in the head. A third individual came in, punched him, started kicking him.”

No arrests have been made. Dedham Police are investigating.

Coughlin and his wife, Leslie Coughlin, pleaded guilty on Monday to furnishing alcohol to a minor after the June 2021 death of Polk, who was found unresponsive at the bottom of the couple’s swimming pool at a weekend graduation party at their home, according to the district attorney’s office. The couple also admitted to sufficient facts for a probable finding of guilt to charges of reckless endangerment of a child.

The couple were each charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor and reckless endangerment of a child after the death of Polk, a 17-year-old star football and basketball player who had just graduated from Dedham High School when he died.

Emergency crews were called to the house on Netta Road around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2021 to investigate a possible drowning. When police arrived, they said bystanders were performing CPR on Polk. Polk was taken to a Boston hospital, where he later died.

PREVIOUS: Teen in critical condition after being pulled from Dedham pool

On Monday, for both Coughlin and his wife, Dedham District Court Judge Paul McCallum ordered a 1-year sentence, which he suspended for three years. He continued without a finding the reckless endangerment charge for three years. He imposed 50 hours of community service on each charge, for a total of 100 hours.

Assistant District Attorney Sean Riley had earlier asked McCallum to impose a guilty finding on each count and sentence the Coughlins to 2 ½ years in the Norfolk County House of Corrections, with 1 year to serve and the balance suspended during 3 years of probation – with 200 hours of community service during that probation.

The judge’s sentencing came down as a result of a “disagreed plea,” when prosecutors ask for more than what the defense is willing to agree to. McCallum then agreed to give a lesser sentence than what prosecutors were asking for, according to the district attorney’s office.

And after sentencing, once outside the courthouse, things became violent, Coughlin’s attorney said. Police officers quickly responded to the scene.

PREVIOUS: Investigation continues after unresponsive teen pulled from Dedham pool

Around 10:38 a.m. Monday, an officer in the area of the courthouse reported a physical altercation taking place in the street outside of Dedham District Court, police said in a statement.

Several officers in the area and court personnel intervened “to stop the altercation and restore order,” police said.

An ambulance responded to evaluate two people at the scene, police said. The two people refused to be taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Further details were not immediately released by police regarding Monday’s altercation outside the courthouse and whether any charges would be filed.

“While the Norfolk DA’s Office is aware that there was a confrontation outside the courthouse following the sentencing, that matter is being handled by Dedham Police at this time,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement.

The case has been an emotionally-charged one, with Polk’s friends and family calling for justice, while the Coughlins have claimed ongoing harassment following the teen’s death.

Shortly after Polk’s death in June 2021, hundreds of people turned out to rally in Dedham for answers.

“If we have to stop the town of Dedham, we are going to find out what happens to my son,” the teen’s mother, Debra Rowell, said in June 2021. “Everybody is still standing and my son is gone and I want justice and I’m going to get it.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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