Travis County Jury Delivers Verdict on Murder and Assault Case

On Friday, January 26, 2024, a Travis County jury convicted 24-year-old Cornelius Cooks of Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The jury selection commenced on Monday, January 22, 2024, followed by testimonies starting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. After deliberation on Friday, January 26, 2024, the jury found Mr. Cooks guilty of Murder and five counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. On Monday, January 29, 2024, the jury sentenced him to 23 years for Murder and 10 years for each count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, to be served concurrently in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Mr. Cooks was arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Taskforce on May 4, 2021, for the murder of 18-year-old Kedarius Griffin, which occurred on April 14, 2021. He was indicted on May 17, 2022, for the offenses of Murder and five counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

The case against Mr. Cooks was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Angie Creasy and Kiera Kilday, with support from Investigators Cyril Friday, Dave Mahoney, and David Austin, Victim Counselor Raquel Pompey, Paralegal Diane Nanez, and Legal Secretary Rebecca LaBeth. The Austin Police Department’s Sgt. Jennifer Taylor led the investigation into Mr. Cook’s case.

“Our office is grateful to our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for the victim’s family,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “We hope this verdict brings closure and peace to the victim’s family.”