Criminal Corner 17: Bloody body found under motel room bed leads to murder charges for Bradenton man
A 24-year-old Bradenton man is being charged with second-degree murder in the death of a woman whose body was found under a motel room bed by motel staff, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Steven Cozens was arrested for the crime just after 8 p.m. on Aug. 28, the same day the body was discovered.
Deputies say the body was wrapped in a bed sheet and stuffed under the bed. The victim and Cozens had been registered at the hotel since Aug. 21.
Detectives located Cozens near the motel. According to the report, Cozens admitted to stabbing the victim to death.
Cozens was booked into the Manatee County jail for murder and is being held without bond.
She passed out drunk at the wheel … with a 2-year-old in the back seat
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, a 26-year-old Bradenton woman was found passed out behind the wheel of her vehicle at the intersection of 33rd Street East and SR 70 at around 4 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 29.
Deputies say Jermeasha Williams admitted she passed out due to drinking tequila. According to the report an unrestrained 2-year-old was asleep in the back seat at the time she passed out drunk at the intersection.
Williams was booked into the Manatee County jail on DUI and child neglect charges and was released the same day after posting bonds totaling $2,000.
71-year-old beaten over an argument about a chair
A 32-year-old man attacked and beat an elderly man at around 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 at the Bradenton Salvation Army facility on 14th Street West after an argument broke out over a chair, according to the Bradenton Police Department.
Police say Edger Goldsmith punched the elderly man and upon arrival, the victim’s eyes were swollen shut and bleeding.
According to the arrest report, medical staff at the hospital determined the victim additionally suffered a punctured lung.
Goldsmith was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of aggravated battery on an elderly person and remains in custody on a $20,000 bond.
15-time convicted felon arrested on firearm charges
A 50-year-old man with 15 felony convictions was arrested on the afternoon of Aug. 31 on firearm charges after pointing a gun at the victim in the 5300 block of 34th Street West.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Clearance Robinson showed up at a party uninvited and began arguing with a female about a family member living with her.
Deputies say Robinson then produced a firearm and pointed it at the victim. Several witnesses began screaming at Robinson, who then left the scene.
Law enforcement located him hiding nearby and Robinson was taken into custody.
