Cleophus Cooksey Jr.

Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr. (born March 25, 1982) is an American accused spree killer from Phoenix, Arizona, Maricopa County, Arizona. He has been charged with nine murders and other crimes committed in the city and in surrounding areas during a 21-day span between November and December 2017.[1][2] All nine victims had been shot.[3] His mother, Rene Cooksey, and his stepfather, Edward Nunn, were his final two victims. A blood-covered Cooksey was arrested at the scene.

Cleophus Cooksey Jr.
Born
Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr.

(1982-03-25) March 25, 1982
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Conviction(s)TBD
Details
Victims9
Span of crimes
November 27, 2017–December 17, 2017
CountryUnited States
State(s)Arizona
WeaponsGlock 9mm Handgun
Date apprehended
December 17, 2017

Ballistics evidence, DNA testing, stolen jewelry and a stolen mobile phone belonging to one of the victims linked Cooksey to the other seven murders.[4] Phoenix authorities say there is a "distinct possibility" of more victims. Investigations into unsolved murders are ongoing.[5]

Cooksey, a grandson of Tucson civil rights leader Roy L. Cooksey,[6] is currently represented by public defender Gary Beren.[7]

Known victims
#NameAgeDate of DeathNotes
1Andrew Remillard2711-27-2017Fatally shot in car with Parker Smith; motive unknown - leaves behind a child and wife
2Parker Smith2111-27-2017Fatally shot in car with Andrew Remillard; motive unknown
3Salim Richards3512-2-2017Cooksey stole Glock 9mm handgun
4Jesus Real2512-11-2017leaves behind children: Brother of Cooksey's ex-girlfriend; murder occurred in Avondale[8]
5LaTorrie Beckford2912-13-2017Motive unknown
6Kristopher Cameron2112-16-2017Murder occurred in Glendale leaves behind a 11 month old son and a second child on the way.
7Maria Villanueva4312-16-2017Raped by Cooksey - Leaves behind 2 daughters
8Rene Cooksey5612-17-2017Cooksey's mother
9Edward Nunn5412-17-2017Cooksey's stepfather

Previous convictions

Cleophus Cooksey Jr. had been convicted of manslaughter and armed robbery in 2001 and had been released the previous July.[9] He was one of four men who attempted to rob a topless bar. Although the manager fatally shot one of Cooksey's accomplices and the shooting was deemed self-defense, under Arizona's felony murder law, Cooksey was held culpable because the death occurred during the commission of a crime.[10][11] Under an agreement, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Phoenix police arrested three women: Desaree Coronado (aged 23) and sisters Griselda and Liliana Vasquez (ages 24 and 26, respectively), on one count each of hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence. Both are felonies. Coronado was the mother of Jesus Real's child. She was also charged with one misdemeanor count of false reporting to law enforcement. Liliana Vasquez is Cleophus Cooksey Jr.'s ex-girlfriend. Griselda Vasquez ultimately admitted to taking a mobile phone off Real's body. Police say they have evidence that Liliana's car was in the area of two of the murders.

Their bonds were set at $3,000.[12]

References
  1. "Phoenix man accused of killing nine people during three-week period - ABC15 Arizona". abc15.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  2. "Suspected serial killer accused of shooting 9 in 3 weeks is an 'aspiring music star'". abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  3. Suspected serial killer accused of slaying nine people in three weeks, including mother and stepfather
  4. Police in the Phoenix area say a man, Cleophus Cooksey Jr., shot and killed nine people, including his own mother
  5. "Phoenix Police Charge Cleophus Cooksey Jr. With Nine Murders". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  6. "Roy Cooksey dies; tireless advocate for civil rights | Local news". tucson.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  7. "Phoenix police: Serial killing suspect tied to 9 attacks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  8. TEGNA. "PD: Man arrested for murder of mother, stepfather linked to 7 other Phoenix-area murders". WFAA.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  9. "Man suspected in 9 slayings in Phoenix area has ties to Tucson | Local news". tucson.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  10. "Serial killer? Cleophus Cooksey tied to 9 attacks in Phoenix". usatoday.com. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  11. "Arizona First Degree Murder Law". FindLaw. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  12. 3 women accused of hindering Phoenix serial killer probe
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