Long Beach woman pleads guilty to manslaughter in partner’s death

A 54-year-old Long Beach woman pled guilty Thursday to manslaughter in the death of a Centre Island man with whom she had a romantic relationship that lasted 20 years, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Jennifer Gross pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter before Nassau County Court Judge Meryl Berkowitz. She is due back in court May 8 and is expected to receive a sentence of 22 years in prison.

Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement that Gross committed the murder “in a fit of uncontrollable rage” and that she “violently beat her partner to death before setting his house on fire to cover up the crime.”

Singas said the victim, James Coppola, was 75 years old. The DA said Gross asked Coppola for money and beat him after he refused her request. She said Gross stole jewelry from the victim before fleeing.

Gross was arrested Sept. 20 2019 and charged with the crime.

Singas said the two had a tumultuous relationship that was on and off for 20 years.