Overview

• The sentencing phase began Monday, and Cleophus Cooksey Jr. waived his presence at the opening session.
• The panel must decide whether aggravated circumstances exist that make Cooksey eligible for the death penalty under Arizona law.
• Prosecutors highlighted multiple first-degree murder convictions from the spree and noted Cooksey’s prior manslaughter and armed robbery convictions.
• The state alleged some killings were committed in an especially cruel manner, while the defense pressed a pathologist on whether victims felt pain or were conscious.
• Investigators tied Cooksey to the 2017 slayings through a gun, victim property, and DNA on one victim, and authorities have not identified a motive as Cooksey maintains his innocence.