![[Shelbyville Times-Gazette]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate-small.png){kind=small}
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (7)However, defense attorneys for Cook said they will be filing a motion for a new trial, which will be heard on Dec. 22.
Cook was convicted of the two charges in October for the shooting death of Bill Ross. Ross was shot three times while he slept in his bed at his Wartrace Pike home on Feb. 14, 2007.
His wife, 38-year-old Kimberly Ann Ross, was sentenced to life in prison last November after pleading guilty to first degree murder for her role in planning the slaying.
Justin Young, who loaded the gun and let Cook enter the home to shoot Ross in order to make the death look like part of a home invasion, recently pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Judge Robert Crigler handed down the concurrent sentences after hearing arguments from Eddie Barnard of the district attorney's office and defense attorney Jack Dearing.
Barnard questioned probation officer Laura Prosser about Cook's criminal history, who noted that she had previous charges of misdemeanor theft and two probation violations.
It was also noted by Barnard that Cook was already on probation when she committed the Ross murder.
"This was a terrible murder, an uncalled for murder," Barnard said, adding that Cook could have "backed out" of the crime but did not.
Cook took God's place by taking Ross' life, he continued, and there was no reason for the murder, pointing out that Kimberly could have divorced Bill Ross or filed charges against him for the alleged abuse that was one of the explanations given for the slaying by Cook.
Dearing said that Kimberly Ross was the mastermind behind the slaying and also put blame on Young for his role in the crime. He said that the judge should put little weight on Cook's prior convictions and that the sentences should be fair.
However, Judge Crigler pointed out that Cook attempted to frame two men for the crime and said if it wasn't for the excellent detective work by the Bedford County sheriff's department and the TBI, two innocent men could have gone to prison for life.
"That would have been a terrible miscarriage of justice," Crigler said.
Dearing had no comment about what his motion for a new trial will contain.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
Way to go writeattitude.I agree with you totally.Why spend more money on ANOTHER trial??????
Let her sit in jail and rot.That will give her time to think of how she took this mans life away. And his poor Mother,father,sisters or brothers. What they must be going thru.As he did not get the chance to keep breathing and being alive.
I guess if a crime is to be committed, you may as well do it in Bedford Co.Where they give you trial after trial. Waste tax payers money on them.Slap the crimminal hands and tell to go do it again.
TO this mans family: I say to you:
"In the end they will be Judged and they will Reap what they have sowen. I pray for Peace in your family. And I know your son is in a much better place.And one day you will see him again. God Bless you all."
Sorry JtJustice30 that I'm not as well versed in court procedure as you are. Thankfully, I've never had to appear or spend a lot of time defending myself or my family against crimes, so I'll admit my total ignorance in this department. Regardless of who takes the "hit", in your infinite wisdom, maybe you can also enlighten me as to who funds the public defender's office. In my lame estimation, I would guess that perhaps it is funded by the taxpayers, which back to my original complaint we've paid out enough to defend this criminal. The law has spoken, let it take its course.
She ended a man's life in as cold an callous a manner as one would step on a bug. She's been tried and found guilty in a court of law. She will now spend probably the rest of her natural life in prison. Good Riddance. Time to move on.
again all i can say is get a short rope and a big tall tree.. that stop a lot of crime in Bedford County... don't think you have to hang but two or three and they stop coming here to do their crime....
Her sentences are CONSECUTIVE, not concurrent. She is serving Life with Parole PLUS 20 years. Otherwise the sentences would be running at the same time. Please make a note...Concurrent means running at the same time, Consecutive means one after the other...that a VERY big difference, especially in cases like this one. P.S. writeattitude, Mr. Dearing is a Public Defender. He was appointed, not retained, in this case. And since Cook was given a prison sentence, she will not be assessed any court costs, which is how the Public Defender's office gets paid. So, technically, The P.D.'s office is taking a loss on this one. Please know your information before making such negative remarks. Further, a motion of new trial is a given in a case like this one. Almost everyone who is convicted at trial files a motion for new trial immediately. It's one of those automatic things. Again, if you actually knew how the system really works, you would know such things. Maybe folks should spend some time in an actual court room so that they can learn how things are actually done instead of jumping to conclusions. Despite popular belief, "Law & Order" is just a t.v. show...real life is much different.
She's guilty. She admitted it. Lock her up and quit with the numerous trials.
How many more trials should this woman be given? Of course the defense attorney wants to appeal and keep getting paid to defend her. These people conspired and committed an unconscienable crime and they need to pay for it. At lease she gets to continue living, that's more grace than she granted the victim.