NORWICH – A key witness and co-defendant in the homicide case of a slain Oxford man took to the stand Thursday as part of a plea deal and testified Jeremy Coates, who is charged with first degree murder, was the one responsible for the crime.

Melissa Crispell, a co-defendant turned witness, was previously charged with murder but pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery. She told the jury Coates was the one responsible for David Green's death.

Coates, 47, of Green, has pleaded not guilty. He was charged with first-degree murder, assault, and robbery on September 23, 2016 and has maintained his innocence.

Melissa Crispell, 43, of Oxford, was Coates girlfriend at the time of the alleged crimes, and was originally charged with second-degree murder, assault and robbery. She accepted a plea deal on May 12, 2017. Crispell is facing 15-to-25 years in state prison and will be sentenced after Coates’ trial, and after giving sworn testimony in court.

In her testimony Thursday Crispell said on September 23, 2016, she had a text conversation with Coates, and they made plans to rob Green later that night. She said during the robbery, things took an unexpected turn when Coates kicked Green, and hit him with a piece of slate.

According to Crispell, she waited 20 minutes for Coates to leave the home. When Coates left the home he threatened to do harm to Crispell and her children if she "talked," said Crispell. She added after being threatened she lied to police because she was scared of Coates, but after speaking with an attorney she told the truth, and did so before receiving a plea deal.

Crispell testified she had no intention of harming Green, and when asked how Green died she responded, “Jeremy Coates killed David Green.”

Defense Attorney Brett Cowen asked her on cross if she killed Green, and she replied, "No."

She said the plan was just to take his gun collection, but earlier that day Coates had asked her, “'How would you feel if something happened to Dave?'”

She said she responded that she would feel terrible, and that Dave was a good guy.

According to Crispell, Coates joined her that night as she went to Green’s home for dinner, and after a conversation about money her ex-husband owed him, Green laid down on the ground to get comfortable.

“He didn’t have a couch at that time, so he laid on the floor to help his back,” said Crispell.