An Anne Arundel County judge sentenced 19-year-old Jonah Poole on Friday to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the 2025 murder of Edward Stephen Koza, a 67-year-old Annapolis resident and owner of Tropic Bay Water Gardens in Davidsonville. Poole pleaded guilty in March to first-degree murder in connection with Koza’s death and the subsequent arson of Koza’s truck, which was set on fire with him inside.

Judge Cathleen M. Vitale imposed the sentence, describing the crime as brutal and meticulously planned. While life without parole was the preferred penalty from the court, a plea deal removed that option, leading the judge to hand down the life sentence with parole eligibility. “What sits with the court since the beginning of this case is the question: Why?” Vitale said. “As I attempt to piece together all that transpired and take in all the additional information, there still is that unanswered question.” She added she found no justification for a lesser sentence.

Prosecutors, represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys Marot Williamson and Kelly Poma, detailed the events on the night of the murder, during which Poole and his then-girlfriend, 19-year-old Kylee Dakes of Harwood, assaulted Koza in his store. Koza was bound, gagged, and placed inside his own truck before it was set ablaze. Evidence presented included graphic photos and videos of the burning vehicle, information on the victim’s injuries—including bruising around the eye, a broken nose, and blood in the brain—and text messages Poole sent to Dakes that referenced his willingness to face lifelong imprisonment over the act, such as “You’re worth killing for, literally,” and “You’re worth going to jail forever.” Prosecutors also cited attempts by Poole to coordinate stories with Dakes through a letter.

Dakes is scheduled to stand trial in December. Her defense argues that she was a victim of battered woman syndrome and lacked the capacity to refuse Poole’s actions.

Prior to the fatal attack, Poole engaged in a series of crimes, including stealing more than $500,000 from Koza’s home, robbing Pirate’s Cove restaurant in Galesville of approximately $11,000, and vandalizing The Summit School in Edgewater. He pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property and second-degree burglary related to these offenses. Sentencing for the burglary case is pending.

Defense attorney David Fischer emphasized Poole’s struggles with substance abuse, mental health issues, and a troubled upbringing. Fischer requested a suspended life sentence with only 30 years to be served, arguing that the killing was not Poole’s intent. During his statement, Poole expressed remorse but acknowledged he did not deserve forgiveness.

Friends and colleagues of Koza recalled him as a respected community member. Candace Morrison, who worked alongside Koza, described the long-lasting impact of his death, saying, “The cold brutality of Steve’s murder haunts me still. He must’ve been so terrified.”