A 21-year-old Taylorsville man has been charged with homicide by assault after prosecutors say he punched his stepfather once during an argument over unpaid rent and unemployment, and the older man later died from his injuries. Luciano Gregory Greco is accused of causing the death of Jeff Coffman, 57, following an altercation that began upstairs and ended with Coffman unconscious at the bottom of a staircase.
According to charging documents described by KSL.com, Greco was charged in 3rd District Court after allegedly striking Coffman one time with his right closed fist, hitting Coffman's left jaw area. The charge stems from an argument between Greco and his mother and stepfather that centered on Greco's unemployment and the fact that he had not paid rent for the current month, per the same charging documents.
Argument Turned Physical After Confrontation Over Rent
Court documents indicate Greco had reassured Coffman that he would get the rent money, but the conversation escalated. According to a witness cited in the charging documents, Coffman told Greco he needed to man up and get a job, at which point Greco yelled at him. Coffman reportedly got into Greco's face before Greco followed him downstairs.
It was there, court documents state, that Greco struck Coffman once in the jaw area. Coffman passed out after being hit, then fell and hit his head, according to the charging documents. Police who responded found Coffman unconscious with blood coming from the back of his head, the documents state.
Stepfather Died Days Later at Hospital
Coffman was taken to a local hospital following the incident and died on April 28, 2026. Court documents identify the victim only by the initials J.C., without using his full name, though he has been identified elsewhere as Jeff Coffman, 57, according to KSL.com.
Homicide by assault is classified as a third-degree felony under Utah law, according to the Utah Code. Beyond the charging documents themselves, it is not clear from available records what Greco's current custody or court status is, whether he has entered a plea, or who is representing him in the case.
