A Massachusetts resident, Michael Cook Sr., 47, was found guilty on Friday for a brutal attack on his estranged wife, which resulted in her death. Cook was convicted of breaking into his wife’s home and fatally assaulting her with a hammer. His sentencing is set for Thursday, according to local reports from Berkshire County.
Cook faced a series of charges including second-degree murder, armed assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to murder, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and assault on a family or household member, as reported by Massachusetts Live.
The victim, Charli Cook, 41, initially survived the attack but succumbed to a traumatic brain injury five months later. Charli was a certified nursing assistant at a local nursing home.
Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, stating that while the verdict could not bring Charli back, it served justice for her friends and family.
The incident occurred on July 11, 2019, when Michael Cook broke into Charli’s home in North Adams and attacked her with a hammer while she was in bed. Trial testimonies painted a picture of Cook as a possessive husband, as reported by The Berkshire Eagle.
Court records also revealed that Cook is a registered sex offender, convicted on September 14, 2011, for three counts of rape of a child with force, and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years of age.
In response to the case, Shugrue highlighted the devastating reality of domestic violence in the Berkshires, emphasizing the need for proactive prevention measures, support for survivors, and justice for victims of abuse.