Phoenix Serial Killer Trial Begins After Long Delays

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The courtroom during the trial of Cleophus Cooksey Jr.

News Summary

The trial of Cleophus Cooksey Jr. has commenced after over seven years of delays linked to his alleged murder spree in Phoenix. Facing charges for eight murders from 2017, Cooksey maintains his innocence, claiming the incidents were random. Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty, based on strong evidence found at his mother’s apartment. The community is deeply affected by the trial, given Cooksey’s violent history and the severity of the allegations.

Phoenix Serial Killer Trial Opens After Years of Delays Linked to 2017 Murder Spree

The trial of Cleophus Cooksey Jr. commenced on May 5, 2025, after experiencing over seven years of postponements mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cooksey is facing charges related to the murders of eight individuals in Phoenix and Glendale, a series of brutal killings that transpired over a three-week period from November 27 to December 17, 2017.

Evidence gathered at Cooksey’s mother’s blood-spattered apartment has linked him to at least five of the murders. This evidence includes a firearm used in multiple homicides and DNA from a sexually assaulted victim, leading prosecutors to build a strong case against him. As the trial unfolds, authorities have indicated that they plan to seek the death penalty should Cooksey be convicted based on his violent history, which includes a prior prison sentence for a deadly robbery in 2001.

Now 43 years old, Cooksey has entered a plea of not guilty, maintaining that the charges against him are erroneous. His defense team has argued that the prosecution has failed to establish a clear motive for the alleged murders, suggesting that the incidents may have been “random and unrelated.”

The Victims and Timeline

The initial killing attributed to Cooksey involved Parker Smith and Andrew Remillard, who were shot while seated in a parked vehicle on November 27, 2017. Following this, five days later, security guard Salim Richards was fatally shot during a struggle with Cooksey, who is accused of stealing Richards’ gun and necklace.

Other victims of Cooksey include Latorrie Beckford and Kristopher Cameron, who were killed in separate incidents at Glendale apartment complexes. Additionally, Maria Villanueva was reportedly kidnapped and later discovered dead in a Phoenix alley, with DNA evidence connecting Cooksey to her murder.

Police apprehended Cooksey on December 17, 2017, at his mother’s apartment after responding to reports of gunfire. Upon arrest, he was reported to have threatened an officer, stating he would slit their throat.

Trial Proceedings and Community Impact

The jury for this case consists of 22 individuals, including 10 alternates, and the proceedings are anticipated to last more than eight months. Despite requests for a swift trial, repeated delays have hindered progress, particularly as experts faced challenges in preparation due to pandemic-related restrictions.

While authorities have linked Cooksey to nine murders in total, he was not charged for the ninth case owing to a lack of sufficient evidence. The past experiences of Phoenix residents with similar serial shooting cases have heightened tension in the community, although the killings attributed to Cooksey during the initial period did not draw significant media attention.

The implications of the trial’s outcome could significantly impact community trust, particularly given Cooksey’s previous criminal history and the severity of the allegations against him. His past conviction for robbery, which resulted in a fatality, underscores a concerning pattern of violence.

Conclusion

The ongoing trial of Cleophus Cooksey Jr. has reopened a painful chapter for the Phoenix community and drawn attention to issues surrounding violent crime and public safety. As proceedings continue, all eyes are on the courtroom as the search for justice unfolds amidst lingering questions about Cooksey’s true culpability.