A Scioto County man who spent only a few months behind bars after pleading down an attempted-murder charge is once again facing accusations of extreme violence—this time after what deputies described as a husband-and-wife shootout inside a Portsmouth home.
A Violent History Cut Short
Back in 2023, Daniel Cocarteu, now 64, was charged with attempted murder.
But after a plea deal, the charge was reduced to felonious assault, and in November 2023 he was sentenced to four years in prison.
He didn’t stay long.
By May of 2024, after only a few months at Noble Correctional, Cocarteu was granted judicial release and was back on the streets.
Now, six months later, he is at the center of one of the most disturbing domestic cases Scioto County has seen this year.
911: “We Just Had a Shootout.”
SCDN obtained the 911 radio traffic from the chaotic scene on Pershing Avenue.
Just before 6 a.m. on November 26, a man—confirmed to be Cocarteu—called 911 to report that he and his wife had exchanged gunfire inside their home.
According to dispatch audio:
“She shot at him multiple times.
He shot and did hit her.
She’s on the ground at the bottom of the stairs.
She is still breathing and moving.”
Cocarteu told dispatchers he had “put his weapon down,” but warned there was still another handgun near his unconscious wife.
Because of the danger, EMS crews were ordered to stage nearby until officers could secure the scene.
Listen to our Local Heroes as they respond.
Deputies Rush In
When Scioto County deputies arrived, they detained Cocarteu and cleared the residence so medics could reach the victim. Scanner traffic indicates the woman suffered a serious head injury.
She was rushed for emergency medical care. Her condition has not yet been released.
New Charges—and This Time, No Immediate Release
Cocarteu was booked into the Scioto County Jail at 6:20 a.m., facing a slate of new charges:
- Attempted Murder
- Felonious Assault
- Weapons Under Disability
- Domestic Violence
He appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court at 8 a.m., where the judge ordered him held without release. A pre-trial hearing is set for December 4.
A Case That Raises Serious Questions
Cocarteu’s initial attempted-murder case ended with a plea deal, a lesser charge, and a rapid judicial release.
Now, with another alleged attempted murder on the books, local residents are questioning whether an early-release system meant for rehabilitation put a dangerous offender back into the community too soon.
SCDN will continue to follow developments in this case as more details become available
