What to know about Arizona serial killings that resulted in 8 murder convictions
September 25, 2025
An Arizona man has been convicted on eight murder charges for a string of fatal shootings in Phoenix after a trial that spanned several months. The jury in Phoenix found 43-year-old Cleophus Cooksey Jr. guilty in the killings that targeted random victims and the defendant’s mother and stepfather over a three-week span in 2017. He was also found guilty of other crimes including kidnapping, sexual assault and armed robbery. The sentencing portion of the trial begins Monday, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Cooksey has maintained his innocence.