Trial begins for suspected serial killer in Arizona

By CNN Newsource, Dillon Fuhrman, Valeria Rodriguez

May 6, 2025 5:45 AM

Published May 6, 2025 5:50 AM

PHOENIX (CNN, KYMA/KECY) - The trial of a suspected serial killer got underway Monday in Phoenix.

Cleophus Cooksey is charged with murdering eight people over the course of three weeks in 2017, with two of his alleged victims being his mother and stepfather.

Cooksey, now 42, has already spent time in prison.

According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, he was released in July 2017 after serving 16 years on armed robbery and manslaughter convictions. His alleged killing spree happened just a few months later.

Cooksey faces the death penalty if convicted.

Article Topic Follows: Arizona News

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CNN Newsource

Dillon Fuhrman

If you have any story ideas, reach out to him at dillon.fuhrman@kecytv.com.

Valeria Rodriguez

Valeria Rodriguez joined the KYMA team as a multimedia journalist in June 2023.
If you have any story ideas, you can contact her at valeria.rodriguez@kecytv.com.

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