Pei-Sze Cheng

Long Beach Woman Charged With Murder, Arson for Deadly House Fire on Long Island: Cops

The body of James Coppola, 75, was found inside the home after the fire was extinguished, police said

What to Know

  • A Long Beach woman has been arrested and charged with murder and arson in connection with a deadly house fire on Long Island last year
  • Police say the fire broke out at a home on Centre Island Drive in Centre Island around 10 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2018
  • The body of James Coppola, 75, was found inside the home after the fire was extinguished, according to police

A woman has been arrested on charges of beating a 75-year-old man to death and torching his Long Island house to cover up the crime.

Jennifer Gross, 54, of Long Beach, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree arson on Friday in connection with the blaze, according to police. Her attorney information wasn’t immediately available Saturday.

Police say the fire broke out at a home on Centre Island Drive in Centre Island around 10 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2018.

The inferno had engulfed the home by the time firefighters got there, official said. The body of Centre Island and Howard Beach resident James Coppola, 75, was found inside the house after the fire was extinguished, police said.

Nassau County police say Gross and Coppola were involved in a violent 20-year relationship. They say Coppola had an order of protection against Gross when he was killed.

Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick says Gross was arrested after she pawned jewelry that had belonged to Coppola.

Gross was expected to appear in court Saturday. During her perp walk, she told reporters there were "two sides to every story." 

"The truth will come out in court," she said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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