An Arizona jury has sentenced Cleophus Cooksey Jr. to death for a series of killings that spanned three weeks in metro Phoenix in 2017. Cooksey was found guilty of murdering eight individuals, including his own mother and stepfather, along with charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted sexual assault. The decision came after a seven-month trial involving brutal attacks on random victims. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is contemplating whether to pursue additional penalty options for the murders of Cooksey's family members. Throughout the trial, evidence linked Cooksey to the crimes, including a gun found in his mother's apartment and other personal items belonging to the victims. Cooksey maintains his innocence amidst claims of his violent behavior, which prosecutors described as a horrific demonstration of evil that warranted the harshest punishment.