Published: May 14, 2009 11:16 am      

Verdict reached in murder trial

Jury: Man guilty in 2007 beating death of wife

By Randy Mitchell

Staff Writer



ADA — A 12-person jury took just under six hours to find a man guilty of beating his wife to death in March 2007.

The jury found Jerry D. Cox, 54, Ada, guilty of second-degree murder and recommended a sentence of 10 years in prison.

Jerry Cox was originally charged with aggravated assault and battery after police said Barbara Cox was severely beaten at her home March 12, 2007.

The charge was upgraded after she died 16 days later in an Oklahoma City hospital from a brain injury, according to prosecutors.

According to an affidavit filed by Officer Jason Mosley, Barbara Cox drove to Ada Travel Stop Gaming Center after the beating. An ambulance was called and EMS took her to Valley View Regional Hospital (VVRH).

Mosley went to VVRH to meet with Barbara Cox but was told she couldn’t speak because of a breathing tube that had been placed down her throat.

“The (VVRH) staff advised Barbara had a broken nose, busted lip, two black eyes, facial swelling, bruising on her stomach and legs and a skull fracture,” Mosley said in a report.

Barbara Cox was transferred to Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City for more intensive care due to unknown head and internal injuries.

Barbara Cox’s sister-in-law, Christine Anderson, said Barbara told her she was using the restroom when Jerry Cox came in and started slapping and punching her, according to the affidavit.

Jerry Cox reportedly told Mosley they had been fighting all day with mutual pushing and shoving but no hitting.

The trial began Monday and ended around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The jury deliberated until just after 9 p.m.

“I think the jury did a fantastic job weighing through the evidence and we’re satisfied with the verdict,” said District Attorney Chris Ross, who prosecuted the case along with Jim Tillison, assistant district attorney. “They obviously deliberated hard.”

Ross said they asked for second-degree murder instead of first-degree because they did not believe Jerry Cox intended to kill his wife. Roff said it was a tough case to prosecute.

The doctor who treated Barbara Cox said she died of injuries suffered at the hands of the defendant. The defense had an expert witness, also a doctor, who said that was not how she died, Ross said.

“Dr. Matthew Stanfield, who was the treating neurosurgeon for Barbara Cox, was invaluable for this case,” Tillison said. “Also Captain Tommy Cosper. His lengthy investigation was such a huge help with such a complicated case.”

Jerry Cox, who was free on bail, was taken into custody after the verdict and will be sentenced June 15. His conviction rate is 85 percent, which means if Judge Tom Landrith follows the jury’s recommendation, he would have to serve eight-and-one-half-years before being eligible for parole.