Man Gets Life Sentence in Galveston County for Brutal Murder of Wife Suffering Dementia

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – A Galveston County jury on Thursday, January 15, 2026, sentenced 63-year-old Charles Kermit McCoy Jr. of League City to life in prison for the killing of his wife with dementia, 62-year-old Susan Shawn McCoy, concluding a trial centered on a brutal attack prosecutors described as an attempted murder-suicide.

The sentence was handed down after McCoy’s conviction for first-degree murder in the death of his wife. The case stemmed from a September 2024 incident when deputies with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the couple’s League City home to carry out an eviction. After receiving no response, deputies forced entry and found Shaun McCoy dead and McCoy injured and lying beside her.

The investigation was handled by the League City Police Department, and McCoy was later indicted on a charge of first-degree murder.

The jury trial began Monday, January 12th, with Violence Against Women Chief Prosecutor Kate Willis and Assistant District Attorney Kyle Vance presenting the case for the state. Deputies and officers who responded to the scene testified about what they described as a violent and disturbing discovery inside the home. Prosecutors introduced photographs showing Shaun McCoy with severe neck injuries and McCoy bleeding while holding her hand and gripping a large butcher knife.

Testimony from neighbors and the couple’s son detailed a history of abuse, control, and heavy intoxication by McCoy. Neighbors told jurors they had seen Shaun McCoy, who was suffering from early-onset dementia, with black eyes and bruises on her arms. Their son testified about years of abuse within the family.

Dr. Monica Patel, who performed the autopsy, testified that Shaun McCoy suffered a catastrophic neck wound along with blunt force trauma to her head, face, and body. Patel said the totality of the injuries led her to conclude the death was a homicide.

McCoy testified in his own defense, claiming his wife inflicted the fatal injuries on herself while he was showering and that he attempted to take his own life afterward. Prosecutors challenged that account, questioning McCoy about inconsistencies and demanding explanations for each of the injuries his wife sustained.

In closing arguments, Willis told jurors that McCoy’s testimony was an effort to save himself and argued he had abused and ultimately killed the woman he was supposed to protect. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a guilty verdict.

The punishment phase began immediately. The defense argued that McCoy’s life was effectively over, while prosecutors countered that the life taken was Shaun McCoy’s. Willis told jurors McCoy had shown no remorse and should be held fully accountable. After about two hours of deliberation, the jury sentenced McCoy to life in prison.

The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office commended the League City Police Department and the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the case.

The case was heard under Cause No. 24-CR-3906 in the 405th Judicial District Court, with visiting Judge Leslie Yates presiding.