Vineland man ordered held in youth coach killing

A Vineland man allegedly paid someone to come up with an alibi for him and his co-defendant in the killing of a youth football coach. Will El-Bey, 22, was ordered detained by Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio on Friday. He faces several charges in the Aug. 9 killing of Midget League football coach Joseph Johnson, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder and witness tampering. "The state is very concerned about the accompanying charges of witness tampering," Assistant Prosecutor Charles Wettstein said. El-Bey allegedly paid a co-defendant to come up with an alibi for him and co-defendant Eugene Cosby, Wettstein said. El-Bey and Cosby, 42, of Malaga, are accused of gunning down Johnson just yards away from where the coach’s Midget League players were practicing at Lakeside Middle School in Millville. A 9mm Glock was found at El-Bey's residence when he was arrested, Wettstein told the judge. It appears to be a match to shell casings found at the scene. But El-Bey has no criminal history and strong ties to the area, said defense attorney Diane Ruberton, who was at one time acting Atlantic County prosecutor. "He would not be someone I would be comfortable releasing into the world," Silvanio said, as loved ones of the victim let out a quick cheer. "One down," a family member was heard saying outside court. Cosby’s hearing was set for the afternoon, but his defense attorney, William Powell, asked that it be postponed to Oct. 24, saying he just received some sensitive information Friday. Genea Hughes-Lee and Tyrek Hart are charged with hindering and giving false reports to law enforcement. They were released earlier this week on conditions, including regularly reporting to the court.