Two Men Charged With First and Second Degree Murder by Stearns County Grand Jury

(KNSI) – A grand jury has indicted two people accused of killing a man in St. Cloud in May on murder charges.

Alphonso Dale Cotto (on the left) has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder while committing or attempting to commit aggravated robbery, intentional 2nd-degree murder, felon in possession of ammunition or a firearm due to a prior conviction of violence, and aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

The grand jury charged Paul Erving Colman with aiding and abetting first-degree murder while committing or attempting to commit aggravated robbery and aiding and abetting initial 2nd-degree murder.

The two are accused of killing Michael Batsche at his home on May 24th. Police say Batsche and Cotto were arguing over a debt related to a handgun and drugs. Around 7:40 p.m., Cotto and Coleman are seen on security cameras around Batsche’s home. The victim was found inside the entryway with a single wound to the head. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died.

Multiple witnesses reported hearing two volleys of gunfire coming from the area. Investigators found a total of 9 cartridge casings of both .380 caliber and 9 mm caliber bullets.

Cotto was arrested in Chicago a few days after the shooting. The 42-year-old was being held in Cook County, Illinois’ jail and was transported to Stearns County on Tuesday. He appeared in court on Wednesday. Cotto’s next court date hasn’t been set.

Coleman was arrested in St. Cloud a few days after the shooting. The 53-year-old’s next court date is August 12th.

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