Stanley Makes First Court Appearance
By: Mike Stiles -
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Nicholas Stanley (photo courtesy of Elkhart County Jail)
(ELKHART) – A murder suspect was in court for the first time Thursday morning.
Elkhart County Court officials says 35 year old Nicholas Stanley is facing a charge of murder after allegedly shooting 35 year old Allen Cogswell June 24 at the Daylite Inn in Elkhart.
Authorities say that Cogswell was a sex offender. He had been released from prison in May, and that Stanley is related to a victim in that case.
Elkhart Police say a witness told them that he saw Stanley looking in the window of Cogswell’s room and then knocked on the door. When Cogswell opened the door, Stanley reportedly began shooting.
Cogswell died from shots to the chest and the head.
Police say they found video from several security cameras capturing him leaving the scene. Investigators also say Stanley’s father told them they knew where Cogswell was staying and a shotgun is missing from their home.
Court officials say Stanley has been appointed an attorney and a trial date has been set for October.
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