Executive Summary
- Cleophus Cooksey Jr. was sentenced to death for the murders of eight people in 2017.
- The killings occurred over a three-week span in Phoenix and Glendale shortly after his release from prison.
- Victims included the defendant’s mother and stepfather.
- Cooksey was previously convicted for involvement in a 2001 robbery and manslaughter case.
A Maricopa County Superior Court jury sentenced Cleophus Cooksey Jr. to death on Thursday for the murders of eight people during a three-week violence spree in the Phoenix metropolitan area in 2017. The 43-year-old defendant learned his fate nearly three months after being found guilty of multiple felonies, including murder, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, and armed robbery.
According to court records, the trial began in May and concluded with the jury’s decision to impose capital punishment. The killings took place between November 27 and December 17, 2017, in Phoenix and Glendale. Authorities noted that the spree commenced just four months after Cooksey was released from prison, where he had served a sentence for his role in a 2001 strip club robbery during which an accomplice was killed.
Police investigators identified the first victims as Parker Smith, 21, and Andrew Remillard, 27, who were discovered shot to death in a parking lot. Subsequent shootings over the following weeks claimed the lives of Salim Richards, Latorrie Beckford, and Kristopher Cameron. Law enforcement officials reported that the body of Maria Villanueva, 43, was found in a Phoenix alley, and forensic analysis confirmed the presence of Cooksey’s DNA on the victim.
The spree concluded on December 17, 2017, when officers responded to a shots-fired call at an apartment. Police reports state that officers discovered the bodies of Cooksey’s mother, 56-year-old Rene Cooksey, and his stepfather, 54-year-old Edward Nunn. Cooksey was taken into custody at the scene following an altercation with law enforcement. While officials have not cited a specific motive, investigators indicated that Cooksey was acquainted with some victims, while others appeared to be randomly targeted.
Judicial Implications
The imposition of the death penalty in this case underscores the severity with which the Arizona justice system addresses capital crimes involving multiple victims and recidivism. This sentencing marks the legal conclusion of one of several high-profile serial shooting cases that impacted the Phoenix community between 2015 and 2017. For the judicial system, the verdict represents a significant application of sentencing guidelines regarding aggravating circumstances, bringing finality to a complex prosecution that spanned several years.
