Phoenix (AP) — An Arizona jury convicted Cleophus Cooksey Jr. on Thursday of eight murder charges related to a series of fatal shootings across metro Phoenix over a three-week period in 2017.
The jury's verdict, reached in Phoenix, also includes convictions for kidnapping, sexual assault, and armed robbery. The sentencing phase of the trial is set to begin on Monday, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
Among the victims were Cooksey's mother and stepfather, a security guard, and a woman whose body was found in an alley following a sexual assault. Authorities stated that Cooksey, 43, an aspiring musician, was acquainted with some of the victims but not all. He maintained that the allegations were unfounded, showing visible distress during the reading of the verdict.
The victims included Parker Smith and Andrew Remillard, who were shot dead in a vehicle, and security guard Salim Richards, killed on his way to see his girlfriend. Authorities said that Cooksey’s DNA was discovered on one of the victims.
The killings began only four months after Cooksey was released from prison for a manslaughter conviction following a robbery in 2001.
Adriana Rodriguez, the daughter of victim Maria Villanueva, expressed her grief after the verdict, sharing her heartbreak over the loss of her mother, who she described as her only support.
Cooksey's upcoming sentencing will further explore the extent of his crimes, including the implication of a possible death sentence. A close family friend of the victims described Cooksey as a monster and hopes for a severe punishment.
Cooksey's arrest concluded a disturbing chapter in Phoenix's history, marked by previous serial shooting cases that had incited widespread fear among residents.
