When it comes to subjects for blogs, I really have no method. I keep a list of subjects that I would like to eventually cover, but I really have no method of choosing which ones to cover and when.
But this blog is an exception to that. I was working on another blog when I ran across this crime story. And my gut feeling was that I needed to stop working on the other blog and instead do this one. It was as if this story must be told and told now. I listened to my "gut" and that is what I did.
So here is "I Love You But I'm Going To Kill You."
Jack Claude Cobern was born June 2, 1926, in Ashland, KY, a son of the late William Vernal Cobern and Ethel Schattinger Cobern.
Not much is known about Jack's life other than he served in the United States Marines during World War II, and he served for nine years with the Kentucky State Police. For a few years of that time, he was stationed with the Kentucky State Police Post 8 here in my hometown of Morehead, KY. He resigned after being transferred from Morehead to London, KY. He would later become the owner of the Boonesboro Boat Club Restaurant at Boonesborough, KY.
Despite his honorable service with the Marines and the Kentucky State Police, Jack will most likely be remembered for the events of August 21, 1963.
The family babysitter, Donna McIntosh, told authorities that on the evening of Wednesday, August 21, 1963, Jack's wife, Anna Jean Morguson Cobern, came home from working her shift at the Dixie Cup Plant on Industry Road in Lexington, Ky. Jack, who had been drinking, was waiting for her at their home on Bryan Avenue in Lexington.
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| Jean Cobern 1930-1963 photo courtesy of FamilySearch / Jackie Cobern |
Jack instructed McIntosh to go upstairs and get the baby. McIntosh got the baby and returned. It was then McIntosh stated that she heard Cobern tell Jean "I love you but I'm going to kill you." And Jack then shot Jean with a .38 caliber pistol while they both were sitting at the dining room table. The bullet struck Jean in the left chest, below the breast. The bullet lodged at the back of her spine.
McIntosh stated that she witnessed the shooting from the living room.
After being shot, Mrs. Cobern arose from the table and ran from the house into the front yard yelling "I'm dying! I'm dying!"
McIntosh stated that Jack followed her outside and waited with her until the city police arrived. Police stated that when they arrived, Jack was holding her in his arms in the driveway. Blood was evident on his shirt, trousers, and tie where he had attempted to aid her.
Jean told police that her husband had shot her.
Jack admitted to shooting her but would not make a formal statement as to the reason. Instead, he told Patrolman D.F. Sallee "This is the worst thing I've ever done. What is it that makes a man shoot his wife?"
Both of the Cobern's children were in the home when the shooting occurred. The youngest, which was approximately a year old, was with Miss McIntosh. The seven-year-old was upstairs when the shooting occurred.
Jean was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where she underwent surgery. She died about three hours later. She was taken to the Edgington Funeral Home in Winchester. She is buried the Winchester Cemetery.
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| Jean Cobern Gravesite |
Initially Jack was charged with malicious shooting and wounding with the intent to kill. However, when Jean passed away from her injuries, a charge of murder was added. He was held in the Fayette County jail in lieu of a $5,000.00 bond. The examining trial was set for Thursday, August 22, 1963, in Quarterly Court at Lexington.
During the examining hearing Jack was held to the Grand Jury on a charge of murder and bond was set at $10,000.00
Testimony about Jean's statement was given by Police Lieutenant A.M. Carter. Carter stated that he had spoken to Jean in the emergency room shortly after the shooting. Jean told Carter over and over that her husband shot her and that she was going to die and didn't want to die. But she never said anything about the circumstances that may have lead up to the shooting.
I'm not sure if this is still the case or not, but at the time, under criminal law a statement by a victim who realizes they are going to die is admissible in the prosecution of a homicide.
Coroner Chester Hager said that shortly after Cobern was informed of Jean's death Jack said that he had been a former state police sergeant, had carried a gun since he was 17, and had been taught to kill. Hager stated that Jack said he "didn't mean to kill her.", and that the shooting was in sudden heat and passion.
Mrs. Phyllis White, a co-worker of Jean's, stated that she arrived at the Cobern residence moments before the shooting to visit Jean. She stated that she saw Jack coming down the stairway inside the house and that he said to Jean "you're still legally my wife", and he was carrying a pistol.
White stated that she left the house immediately although Jean called to her to come back. White stated that she heard the shot as she drove away.
Patrolman Donald Sallee, who had been the first on the scene, said that Jack admitted the shooting and turned over a .38 caliber pistol containing four live shells and one spent shell.
On Monday, September 23, 1963, Jack was indicted for the murder of his wife Jean. The trial was scheduled for February 3, 1964, but was then reassigned to the June 1964 term of the court.
In May 1964 and prior to his trial, Jack was fined $150.00 and costs on a drunk driving charge, amended to driving contrary to law.
On June 29, 1964, Jack pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Circuit Court and was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary.
Sometime after the trial and sentencing, Jack remarried. He married Laura Belle Gribbins Cobern. He passed away on January 25, 1989, and is buried in Marion County, KY.
As a result of this crime, two children grew up without their mother or father. That is the sad reality of this case.
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