Major Benjamin Coxson

Major Benjamin Coxson, an African-American, was a well-known and flamboyant figure in the criminal underworld. He was involved in various illegal activities, including car theft and acting as a fixer in gangland circles. Despite his criminal background, he also made a bid for public office, running for mayor of Camden — losing to Angelo Errichetti.

Coxson was a close friend of Muhammad Ali when he lived in Cherry Hill and, in 1970, after Muhammad Ali defeated Jerry Quarry in the ring, Ali grabbed the microphone from Howard Cosell and declared: "I dedicate this win to Major Coxson, the future mayor of Camden, New Jersey."

According to underworld sources, Coxson was targeted after he allegedly failed to broker a significant heroin deal between the New York Mafia and a local Muslim criminal organization. On June 8, 1973, he was murdered at his home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Also killed were his companion, Louise Luby, and her daughter, Lita. A 13 year-old, escaped by breaking through a sliding door and went to a neighbor's for help, later entered into witness protection. The killings were reportedly carried out by members of Philadelphia's Muslim mob.

Ronald Harvey, a Philadelphia crime figure, is suspected of being involved in the Coxson and Luby murders. Earlier that same year, in January 1973, Harvey was convicted for a brutal attack in Washington, D.C., where two women and five children were murdered on orders from the Nation of Islam. Although he was believed to be connected to the Coxson case, Harvey was never formally charged for those murders and later died while serving time in prison.