Man Takes Alford Plea For His Role In The Murder Of Coy Cole
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. – One of two murder suspects in Lawrence County enters an Alford Plea deal and receives his sentencing.
The murder happened in November of 2019 in Lawrence County, Missouri. Authorities claim Matthew Abney and Ray Frying killed Coy Cole. Authorities accused the suspects of burning his remains and using his stolen debit card.
Alford Plea
On June 21, 2022, Abney took an Alford plea in a Barry County court after a change of venue.
An Alford plea is a type of plea agreement where a criminal defendant admits the prosecution could likely prove the charge. It’s considered a guilty plea in the court of law. However, in an Alford plea, the defendant maintains his or her innocence.
A Barry County judge sentenced Abney to 30 years in prison for Murder 2nd degree. Prosecutors originally filed the following against Abney:
Murder 1st degree
Robbery 1st degree
Assault 1st degree (x2)
Armed Criminal Action (x2)
Tampering with a witness (x2)
Abandonment of a Corpse
Tampering with Physical evidence
The court scheduled a July hearing for co-defendant Ray Fryling.
Murder of Coy Cole
Authorities say a family member said the last time they had contact with Coy A. Cole was on November 18th, 2019.
On December 1st, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office took a call for service at 17868 Lawrence 2059, outside Miller, about a missing person identified as 52-year-old Cole. Authorities say it was Cole’s last known address.
Detective Chris Berry, with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, says he spoke with Mid-Mo Bank in Republic. That’s where Cole banked. Berry says he was told Cole had banking activity as late as November 30th on a debit card. Transactions showed a withdrawal in excess of $70,000 on November 12th.
Investigators looked at the surveillance videos of the financial transactions. A former roommate of Cole was using Cole’s debit card on November 22nd, without Cole present.
Authorities say there was also a death threat allegedly made against Cole on November 19th.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office arrested one suspect. That suspect confessed to being with Ray Fryling at 17868 Lawrence 2059 when Fryling allegedly shot Cole on about November 19th. The suspect said Fyling shot Cole in the abdomen. The suspect stated Cole was sitting in a tan chair at the time.
Investigators then spoke with Fryling, who admitted Cole had wrecked his truck, and he would make it right, according to court documents.
On December 9th, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Fryling’s property at 23503 Lawrence 1150 near Verona. While there, authorities say they found a fresh burn pile and recovered human remains and parts from a tan chair.
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