Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Jonah Poole Pleads Guilty to First-Degree Murder of Garden Shop Owner Edward Koza

Sentencing is set for June 26 following his plea.

Overview

  • Poole, 19, admitted to killing 67-year-old Edward Koza in Anne Arundel County, according to the State's Attorney's Office.
  • Koza owned Tropic Bay Water Gardens in Davidsonville, where police say he was attacked, kidnapped, placed in his truck, and the vehicle was set on fire.
  • Co-defendant Kylee Dakes remains charged, with her attorney saying she will plead not guilty and court schedules indicating a June 2026 trial.
  • Prosecutors cite evidence including a knife left near the register, a video recorded on Poole's phone, and footage showing Dakes appearing to hold a shotgun.
  • Court records describe additional evidence under review, including jail calls, visitor logs, cell phone data, exported Snapchat chats, DNA, and input from ATF and the fire marshal.