Capital Punishment

An Arizona jury sentenced Cleophus Cooksey Jr. to death for six of eight killings in a three‑week string of murders in metro Phoenix in late 2017, while jurors deadlocked on sentencing for the slayings of his mother, Rene Cooksey, and stepfather, Edward Nunn, leaving prosecutors to decide whether to seek a sentencing retrial or allow a judge to impose life terms. Prosecutors pointed to forensic links — including a stolen 9mm Glock tied to several shootings, a victim’s car keys and a necklace found at his mother’s apartment — although authorities have not offered a motive and Cooksey has maintained his innocence.