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DEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A retired State Trooper and his wife are facing charges in the drowning of a Dedham teenager in June, according to WBZ-TV.
17-year-old Alonzo Polk was pulled from James and Leslie Coughlin's pool while attending a house party at their home hours after his graduation from Dedham High School. He died a week later.
Now, a clerk magistrate for Dedham District Court said the Coughlins can be charged with serving alcohol to minors and reckless endangerment.
Read More: Parents Of Dedham 17-Year-Old Pulled From Pool Are Pushing For Answers
The couple's defense attorney, Brian Kelly, argued that Polk's death, while tragic, could not be pinned on the Coughlins, saying Polk was not seen drinking at the party, and was thrown in by a friend who didn't know he couldn't swim.
Police testified that underage drinking happened at the party during the hearing.
The magistrate did not set an arraignment date for the Coughlins. Polk's family attended the hearing, and his brother Roshawn Drane told WBZ-TV that the hearing was "one step that belongs to a long road" toward justice for Polk.
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