Paul Kelly & Maggie Coffman – 1990 Article
Saturday morning, I hope to interview Chris Cox, club owner and peripheral player to the Wonderland saga.
In the meantime, I have not posted this one before. The “red herring”, as Nils Grevillius called it. Right on. I’m no lawyer, but isn’t all this stuff from Maggie just hearsay? After what Billy’s son told me, Paul Kelly was the world’s biggest douche-bag. I wonder what happened to him.
A few quotes from Billy’s son. We spoke 3 weeks ago:
Like so many others in this story, “Paul Kelly came from money”. He “always had new threads and a nice car”. He and Billy were friends from “way back”. Paul dated Joy at one time, and that is how Billy met her. And…. Paul once took a dump after a party at the house on either Joy or her daughter’s birthday cake as a joke. Email the blog for more!
RECORDED TESTIMONY IMPLICATES 3RD PARTY IN 1981 MURDERS
April 17, 1990 | Section: NEWS | Edition: Valley | Associated Press
A witness called by attorneys for two men charged in the murders of four people in Laurel Canyon told police in 1981 that another man gave her details of how the crime was committed, according to evidence introduced in court Monday.
In a tape-recorded interview with police on July 3, 1981, the witness, Maggie Coffman, told police that Paul Kelly was in a “cheerful mood” as he described how the murders had taken place two days before.
“He’s laughing about it, and he goes, ‘The only one we hated to see go was Billy (DeVerell),” Coffman said, referring to one of the victims in the July 1, 1981, killings.
Coffman also told police that Kelly described where each of the victims had been killed in the Wonderland Avenue house, saying “We worked our way up. Ronnie (Launius) was one of the first to go.”
She also quoted Kelly as saying, “I could tell you things that could curl your hair.”
Coffman was called to the stand by attorneys for Eddie Nash and Gregory Diles, who hope to prove their clients are not guilty of the murders and lay blame on Kelly.
Nash, whose real name is Adel Nasrallah, 61, and Diles, 41, are charged with the murders of Launius, 37; DeVerell, 42; Joy Audrey Miller, 46; and Barbara Richardson, 22, in what police claim was retaliation for a million- dollar robbery two days earlier at Nash’s Studio City home.
Patrick Engeleiter, 
Beth, 
Sheila, and 4 others are discussing. 
criticextraordinaire 3:19 pm on November 21, 2013 Permalink |
Taking a dump on the birthday cake… That’s gangsta.
criticextraordinaire 5:50 pm on November 21, 2013 Permalink |
By the way John, can you ask some questions about the Lavender Hill Mob? I’ve not been able to find out much about them on the web. Keep getting hits on some movie from 1951. LOL.
John 7:32 am on November 22, 2013 Permalink |
Yeah sure. I also hate when I’m searching for something and it has a similar name to some unrelated crap.
localarts 6:16 pm on November 21, 2013 Permalink |
I think I have deja vu. I remember this story from way way back when. There was also an accompanying story about police (could be Lange & Souza) having to track Coffman down in Bakersfield. That’s where things start to get kinda crazy with the Launius, Kelly, Coffman thing. Kelly told Coffman he had to kill someone she loved ( Launius ). Paul Kelly was in prison at the time Nash stood trial and when Kelly was subpoenaed he took the 5th
If Kelly had nothing to do with it, then why the hell would he put himself at the scene of the crime and then invoke the 5th?
John 7:48 am on November 22, 2013 Permalink |
I know, he might have been blowing smoke. I searched my posts and the only thing I found about this topic was you telling me about it local arts. I’m just now slowly tracking down the articles. More soon, hopefully. I would love to see pics of these two star-crossed lovers.
Alex 11:12 pm on December 17, 2013 Permalink
I saw the ending of the movie the other night on TV. It brought back memories. I knew Ron at the time of his death. It does not surprise me but the police did not do a through investigation at the time. Ron had a girl friend that has never been brought to light. She was suppose to be at the house that night but had to cancel. Ron and his wife were not on good terms nor was she at good terms with the other house members. I had heard the same thing as Coffman. I was told Susan was the one who let them in because she was mad at Ron. I was told at the time to keep my mouth shut so I did. The police never investigated Ron’s other girlfriend nor where he was prior to the break in at the Nash residence. Interesting huh? I had always wanted to say something but was warned not to get involved. As for Holmes I believe he just wanted the notoriety but wasn’t thinking how messed up that was going to be. Never heard his name mentioned before the murders.
Sheila 9:33 am on December 18, 2013 Permalink
Since you knew Ron and you were told to keep quiet, was there ever a time that you were afraid that Nash would try to take out any one that had knowledge of ANY YHING about that house or about that night. I can’t imagine the fear and shock and disbelief of the community at that time. These people had no remote regard for human life and that was evident in the crime scene.
Is is also true that Susan and Ron were police informants before going down South in CA?
Alex 5:50 pm on December 18, 2013 Permalink
At the time I didn’t know anything about Nash. Didn’t know that Ron had committed the robbery. I only knew from my friend and someone else to keep my mouth shut. His girlfriend was very scared and I respected her request. Her house was broken into shortly after and she moved immediately, so I believe she knew more than she shared with me. When that happened I also did not want too much contact with her or her other close friends. I am sure if she reads this she will know who is writing this. She has never spoken of this since. I would read bits and pieces, sometimes she would tell me how the thing was unfolding. She at one point told me the Holmes thing was a joke, maybe he helped set up the Nash house, because he wanted a part in the money but he had nothing to do with letting the murders into the house.
As for Susan, everyone feels sorry for her but she and Ron were not getting along and she was jealous of his new girlfriend. The fact that she was not killed like the others, lead others to believe she let the murders in, she was staying downstairs. I had never been to the house so I didn’t know the layout. Everyone knew she was going to have memory loss that way it kept her free and clear, she looked like a victim. All people feel sorry for her and she skated.
Sheila, murder cases are never closed until they are solved.
Sheila 9:50 am on December 19, 2013 Permalink
I think I read somewhere that Sharon Holmes had battled breast cancer and in 2006 or 2007 she moved in with Dawn and she took care of her. I am thinking Sharon died because the picture of her was not one of her looking very healthy.
John 10:54 am on November 22, 2013 Permalink |
Here’s some more from another news summary, LA Times:
The three trials exposed the seamy underside of Hollywood as few other courtroom dramas ever have. The accused included [John C. Holmes], [Gregory Diles], a 300-pound bouncer and bodyguard, who lost over 100 pounds in jail, and [Eddie Nash]. Nash, whose birth name is Adel Nasrallah, was an owner of striptease joints and Hollywood nightclubs. He spent more than two years in jail in the mid-1980s on narcotics charges.
Two of the jurors said the defense case was so compelling that they would like to see [Paul Kelly] put on trial for the murders. Another said that while defense evidence against Kelly raised doubts about the guilt of Nash and Diles, it might not be sufficient to convict Kelly.
Killed were William DeVerell, 44; his girlfriend, Joy Audrey Miller, 46, and Ronald Launius, 37, of Sacramento. All three had been involved in a robbery of Nash two days before in which large amounts of cash, jewels, narcotics and some guns were taken. The prosecution contended that the murders were ordered by Nash in retaliation for that robbery.
localarts 2:01 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink |
So many moving parts to Wonderland & so many suspects coming in all directions. How did Paul Kelly know Ron Launius was one of the first ones to die, which I believe he was. Remember, Kelly told Coffman about the murders almost immediately after it happened.
John 2:32 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink |
Paul Kelly might have been one of the first people to walk thru the house that morning, like so many others apparently did. That’s how he knew the locations and how soon he knew about it. Also, if 4-5 killers were present, the victims were all beaten at the same time. 2 men to each room, while Diles or Holmes took care of Barbara. I bet they were out of there in 20 mins.
Sheila 3:03 pm on December 17, 2013 Permalink
John I thought I remembered hearing that there were only 3 people who entered the house but maybe that was the Nash robbery. I couldn’t see how 3 people could kill 4 people without someone getting away and calling for help. Where do Kelly and Coffman fit into this? I have read so much I can’t keep it all straight.
John 8:08 am on December 18, 2013 Permalink
Yes, there is a lot to digest. But, investigator Nils Grevillius stated that a witness at Nash’s (a woman) said that 5 men were dispatched to the house: Holmes, Diles, Diles brother Samuel, Joe McLean (aka Hovsep Mikaelian) and another Armenian mob guy named Bulrashian (or Bulragian).
Sheila 9:23 am on December 18, 2013 Permalink
It is so sad that Susan was the only one that survived and due to her horrific brain injury was unable to identify anyone. It is my feeling that they may have thought that even is she did survive her injuries would be so substantial she would never be right again.
I saw where a blogger asked where Lind was. According to Wikipedia he died of a drug overdose in 1995
Sheila 12:33 pm on December 18, 2013 Permalink
I am guessing that after all the time that has passed since the murders, it is pretty much a closed case now and if they did suspect any one else they are probably dead by now. You live by the sword you die by the sword
localarts 5:03 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink |
Good observation. Thats probably the case.
Beth 10:01 am on January 17, 2016 Permalink |
Do you think this is maybe Joy’s daughter Marla? Kind of looks like her!
Beth 10:01 am on January 17, 2016 Permalink
sorry forgot to add the link, duh! https://www.facebook.com/tbirdblond
Patrick Engeleiter 5:35 am on August 3, 2019 Permalink |
Sheila or Alex please contact me about a docu I am working. 414-306-1667, call of message me.
Thank you.
Patrick E 5:53 am on August 17, 2020 Permalink |
Alex or anyone who knew the Diles family or Ron please contact or message me as soon as you can.
Thank you. 414-306-1667