Coach, Hardy, Binford Indicted in 2 Cincinnati Murder Cases

CINCINNATI – Three men are facing federal murder charges in connection with two brutal killings that rocked Cincinnati in the summer of 2021. The indictments, unsealed today, paint a grim picture of drug-fueled violence and a callous disregard for human life.

Antwan Coach, Jr., 20, of Cincinnati, and Markel Hardy, 21, of Cincinnati, stand accused of executing Kamar Williams on July 5, 2021, in North College Hill. The eight-count superseding indictment alleges a robbery gone deadly: Coach and Hardy allegedly targeted Williams for his marijuana and a firearm, then shot him to death. The details are sparse, but the implication is clear – a simple robbery escalated into cold-blooded murder.

Jamal Binford, 33, of Dallas and Cincinnati, allegedly played a supporting role in the aftermath of the Williams murder, unlawfully assisting Hardy. While the specifics of that assistance remain under wraps, it’s enough to tie him to the crime and bring federal charges. This isn’t a case of lone wolves; it’s a network of individuals complicit in violence.

The alleged criminal activity didn’t stop there. In August 2021, all three – Binford, Coach, and Hardy – are accused of conspiring to murder a second victim, Deonte Nuckols, in St. Bernard. This second killing is allegedly linked to a substantial quantity of fentanyl – 400 grams or more. The indictment suggests a dangerous escalation, with the defendants willing to commit murder to protect their drug operation.

Binford was apprehended this morning at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and immediately appeared in federal court in the Northern District of Texas. His arrest signals a major step forward in the investigation, bringing one of the key players into federal custody. The case, previously under seal, is now moving forward, promising a fierce legal battle.

If convicted as charged, each of the defendants faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, alongside representatives from the ATF, Cincinnati Police, North College Hill Police, and St. Bernard Police, announced the charges. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided crucial support during the investigation. It’s important to remember that an indictment contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.