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Copley fined for removing missing person fliers

Homicide victim’s father said he saw her husband ripping down posters

VIDEO: Michael Copley enters Central Court: http://https://youtu.be/bgTwzyknaEU

The husband of a homicide victim was found guilty Tuesday of criminal mischief for taking down missing person fliers for his wife, Cathy Copley, in March.

Cathy went missing on Dec. 10 after she was seen getting into a car. Her body was found June 8 in a garage behind 408 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd. No one has been charged in Cathy’s disappearance and death.

Before Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Auker on Tuesday, Michael Copley pleaded not guilty to the nontraffic citation for criminal mischief.

However, Cathy’s father, Thomas Boob, testified against Copley.

Boob said he watched from a block away on March 29 as Copley ripped down four or five missing person fliers that featured Cathy Copley. The fliers were purchased by Boob and his family, Boob said.

Boob said Copley walked as he ripped down about four or five fliers and carried them. Boob said he followed Copley until Copley arrived at his 319 Seventh Ave. home and threw the fliers in an outdoor garbage can. Boob said he then called the police.

During the nontraffic citation hearing Tuesday regarding the missing person  fliers, Auker asked Copley if he had questions of Boob’s testimony.

Copley sneered and said, “No.”

Copley testified for himself.

“I wasn’t even home, so. I was with my boss that day. If I did it, then where is the video evidence?”

Auker said no video evidence is required for him to be found guilty.

“Well, Mr. Copley, the thing here is I’ve heard testimony from Mr. Boob that he purchased these items, he saw you take them down, he followed you and called the police. … I find you guilty of the offense,” Auker said.

The offense carries a $200 fine and restitution for the fliers.

Copley was handcuffed after the hearing, not because of the crime but because of a separate cost and fines warrant from the Blair County Sheriff Department. Online docket sheets indicate Copley paid more than $230 on his costs and fines Tuesday.

As he was handcuffed, Cathy’s sister Amy Boob cried and said: “You know what you did. I hope you rot in hell.”

Mirror Staff Writer Russ O’Reilly is at 946-7435.

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