Man found guilty of murdering girlfriend who was pregnant

The DA’s Office was pleased with the murder verdict, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said, which came after Coleman’s defense attorney, Jonathan McDougall, argued during trial that Castle’s death lacked the premeditation and deliberation required of a murder charge and that Coleman should be charged with manslaughter. McDougall did not immediately respond to request for comment on the jury’s decision. 

“I think the jury gave very strong attention to come back with the verdicts they did. They did justice in this case,” Wagstaffe said. “Thirty years to life gives the sentencing court all the room to punish him for both the lives he ended.” 

During the trial, McLaughlin — who argued Coleman should be charged with first- and second-degree murder — emphasized that Coleman immediately fled the scene after Castle’s death and drove to Los Angeles as an indicator of his guilt. He cited an escalating pattern of aggression, including Coleman punching at the window of Castle’s car, as well as texts from Castle to Coleman calling him abusive.

McLaughlin also asked jurors to consider the manner of Castle’s death, which was consistent with strangulation or suffocation, as evidence that Coleman had made an intentional decision to end her life. 

Strangulation is one of the “highest red flags of lethality” and a major warning sign of escalating aggression in a domestic violence situation, Karen Ferguson, CEO of local advocacy group Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, said. 

“Anytime we hear that somebody reports that they were being choked, the abuser put their hands on the victim’s neck … that is one of the highest signifiers of not only domestic violence, but the escalation of domestic violence that leads to lethality,” she said. 

CORA has partnered with her family to create the Kirsten Castle Emergency Fund, offering financial support to those experiencing intimate partner violence, Ferguson said. 

Honoring and remembering Castle’s exceptional life — which included work with incarcerated individuals in Soledad State Prison, introducing them to feminist philosophy and changing patterns of domestic violence — is incredibly important, Ferguson said. 

“Highlighting all of the good in her life, as well as the tragedy that ended her life, is critical,” she said. 

Individuals wishing to donate to the fund can go to corasupport.org/donate. The incarcerated individuals Castle worked with at Soledad State Prison also raised funds for the collection, Ferguson said, noting the impact she had on their life. 

“She made a huge impact with people around domestic violence, which is what is so tragic about her situation, that she died at the hands of an intimate partner,” she said. “She really touched a lot of people.” 

Victims of domestic violence and loved ones who want to support them should keep in mind that getting ready to leave a domestic violence situation can be the most dangerous time, Ferguson said. Believing victims, getting resources and help through organizations like CORA and being aware of correlating risk factors for aggression — which can include pregnancy — are all key. 

“It takes time for people to be ready. When people are pushed and pressured by friends and family to leave a situation, that isn’t always the most safe thing to do,” Ferguson said. “We want them to do it in a way that’s going to be safe for them.” 

While domestic violence homicides in San Mateo County have been trending downward in recent years, the work is far from over, she said. If you are in need of assistance in a domestic violence situation, CORA’s hotline number is (800) 300-1080 and is open 24 hours a day.