When police arrived at a home in Phoenix, Arizona on the night of Oct. 20, 1992 because of reports of a man lying dead on the kitchen floor, they found an unusual sight.
“He was dressed as a cowboy. All in black. From his boots to his hat,” said Joseph Petrosino, a former Phoenix police detective, on Snapped, airing Sundays at 6/5c on Oxygen. “It kinda jumped out at you. And he had a western-style belt with a big buckle that said ‘Black Bart’ on it.”
Charles “Chuck” Gold, 51, had been shot four times in the head, three times, in the chest and once in the wrist. His wife, Carole, had come home to find him dead. The back door was unlocked. There were no signs of a robbery. But as police took a closer look at Carole and her son, 20-year-old Kenneth “Ashton” Cottini, they realized there were cracks in the 14-year-long marriage, as well as tension between the Army veteran and 20-year-old.
Insights into Chuck and Carole Gold’s rocky marriage
Chuck Gold was married four times before he met Carole Cottini in 1977 at horse stables in Lake Geneva near Chicago. The then-36-year-old managed the horse stables, and also put on gunslinger exhibitions with staged battles. After a whirlwind romance, Carole became Chuck’s fifth wife. In 1983, the two decided to open horse stables in Phoenix, Arizona.
Carole and Chuck’s relationship was plagued by infidelity on Chuck’s part, causing strain in their marriage. Chuck’s girlfriend confirmed the affair, shedding light on the deteriorating state of their relationship.
Additional insights into Ashton Cotton’s struggles with stepfather Chuck Gold
When officers spoke to employees of the Golds’ horse stable, they discovered Ashton’s drug problems were a constant source of conflict between Ashton, Carole, and Chuck.
Ashton’s drug issues and strained relationship with Chuck eventually led to a confrontation. Chuck expressed his desire for Ashton to leave the house, setting the stage for further conflict between the two.
Revelations of a murder-for-hire plot
33-year-old Robert “Bob” Pryor was involved in a murder-for-hire plot in connection with Chuck Gold’s death. Police discovered Pryor was also Ashton Cottini’s drug dealer, linking the murder to illegal drug activities.
The involvement of a drug dealer in the murder shed new light on the case, exposing the dark underbelly of the Golds’ relationships and providing a motive for the crime.
Legal aftermath and convictions
Carole Gold and Ashton Cottini were eventually tried for Chuck Gold’s murder, with Carole being found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Ashton, on the other hand, took a plea deal and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The legal proceedings revealed the extent of the betrayal within the family and highlighted the consequences of their actions. The case served as a cautionary tale of the dangers of unresolved conflicts and illicit activities.
Overall, the story of Chuck, Carole, and Ashton serves as a tragic reminder of the destructive power of internal conflicts and criminal behavior within families. The repercussions of their actions not only led to a loss of life but also resulted in severe legal consequences for those involved.
