A repeat killer, Gary Lenall Cox, has been sentenced to life in prison for the violent murder of his girlfriend. The murder occurred after Cox had just been released after completing a sentence for the murder of his wife in 2001.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the case involving the death of Cox’s girlfriend began in the early afternoon of August 7th, when Tempe Police responded to a welfare check at a motel. A 9-1-1 caller stated Cox had said his girlfriend was dead. When police entered the motel room, they found the deceased victim on the floor.
According to the Medical Examiner’s Office, the victim had extensive bleeding in all regions of her brain, approximately twenty rib fractures, and overlapping bruises around her chest and neck. During the investigation, police found evidence including empty bleach bottles and blood stains on the sink, tub, and towels, indicating Cox had attempted to clean the crime scene. There was also evidence that Cox had cleaned the victim’s wounds.
Prior to meeting Cox, the victim was described as a friendly person who would talk to her neighbors at the motel. Once Cox came into the picture and moved in, her behavior completely changed. She would rarely leave her room, and Cox would do all the talking. Cox’s brother also shared that during a video call, he’d noticed the victim had a black eye, something she didn’t have a few days prior when he’d visited the couple.
On February 13th of this year, Cox was convicted of first-degree murder, a Class One Felony; kidnapping, a Class Two Felony; and tampering with physical evidence, a Class Six Felony.
Cox was sentenced last week to the following:
“These crimes are the essence of evil and they were committed by a person who is a grave threat to the community,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “He will spend a very long time in prison, which is precisely where he belongs.”
The question is simple. Why was he out of prison in the first place?
He will get there eventually.
This is a fine example of why people like this do not deserve a light sentence.
“These crimes are the essence of evil and they were committed by a person who is a grave threat to the community,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “He will spend a very long time in prison, which is precisely where he belongs.”
Actually I, and I’m willing to bet many others, can think of a better place for people like that!
The death penalty, carried out at sundown, the day after sentencing.