An Indiana father has confessed to fatally shooting a convicted child molester, saying he has no regrets about delivering justice after the system failed his family.
Nicholas Stanley, 35, is charged with murder in the June 24 shooting death of Allen Cogswell, a man who served just seven years in prison for molesting a young relative of Stanley’s.
“I did what I had to,” Stanley told ABC57 News in a jailhouse interview.
“I’m tired of pretending like I did something wrong.”
The system failed — he didn’t
Cogswell had been released in May after serving time for sex crimes against a minor. For Stanley, that was a turning point.
“That’s why when he got released, I lost my mind,” Stanley said.
“As soon as he got out, he wasn’t making it very far.”
Stanley said he became obsessed with the idea that the man who harmed his family was walking free. On the night of the shooting, unable to sleep, he grabbed his firearm and drove to find him.
“I took him out,” Stanley said.
“I did what I had to.”
According to police, Stanley located Cogswell at the Daylite Inn in Indiana. He peered through the window, knocked on the door, and opened fire when Cogswell answered — shooting him in the head and chest.
“He wasn’t scared of the system — why should I be?”
Stanley made it clear that he understands the legal consequences. He faces a minimum sentence of 45 years if convicted.
“I’m just tired of pretending that I have to be scared of the system,” he said.
“He obviously wasn’t scared of the system… and now I’m going to get more time for putting this piece of trash out than he ever got for hurting my family.”
“So if the system wants to throw me away, let them. I don’t even care anymore.”
A message to his family
When asked if he had any final message for his children and family, Stanley remained stoic.
“I know I’m going to miss out on my kids, and basically the rest of their whole lives,” he said.
“I love you guys. Keep your heads up. Don’t worry about me. Live your life. Have the best life you possibly can.”
“That’s pretty much it.”
