SANDPOINT, Idaho — A Washington man accused in the stabbing death of a Washington cabdriver in North Idaho has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
The Bonner County Daily Bee reports that 21-year-old Jacob Corban Coleman pleaded guilty Friday. Prosecutors dropped their pursuit of the death penalty as part of the plea deal.
Police say Coleman in August 2017 called a cab and 22-year-old Gagandeep Singh of Spokane picked him up at Spokane International Airport.
Bonner County Sheriff officials said Jacob Corban Coleman, 19 at the time, flew from Seattle to Spokane with the intention of starting a new semester at college. Coleman said he was denied entry to Gonzaga, became angry and began to have homicidal thoughts.
Authorities say Coleman bought a knife during a stop at a store.
Singh stopped in Kootenai, Idaho, when it became clear Coleman didn't have a destination. Police say Coleman then stabbed Singh, who died at the scene.
Singh’s family told KREM 2 last year they had been on the phone with Singh just before he was killed. They were later able to trace his phone to the intersection where his body was found after their calls and texts went unanswered. Singh’s brother said the suspect took his brother’s phone and texted them, “Just call the f***ing cops already! It’s not hard.”
Gonzaga officials released a statement that said they had no record of an application for admission from Jacob Coleman of Puyallup, Washington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.