Nassau County police arrested 54-year-old Jennifer Gross and charged her with second-degree murder and second-degree arson for the 2018 crime that left 75-year-old James Coppola dead.
Police officials told nbcnewyork.com that they believed Gross beat Coppola to death, then torched his house to cover up the murder. Police records indicate that Gross and Coppola had been involved in a relationship for over 20 years.
Coppola had a restraining order against Gross when his house burned to the ground last November.
Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau County police said Gross was arrested after she was found pawning jewelry that belonged to Coppola over the weekend.
Gross, who was placed in lock-up until her arraignment, told members of the media that there are "two sides to every story; the truth will come out in court."
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