On Thursday, October 10th Michael A. Cook Senior was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the 2nd degree murder of his wife, Charli Cook. The sentences for the remaining four charges (see the 10/4 press release below) will be served concurrently to the lead charge, Murder in the Second Degree. The Honorable Judge Flannery presided.
The Commonwealth requested that the four lesser charges be sentenced to be served on and after the lead charge. This would extend Cook’s sentence by 18 to 20 years; however, the judge denied the request. The Commonwealth made this request based on Cook’s extensive, violent criminal history which spans 28 years. The history includes domestic assault and battery of past intimate partners and other violent actions. Michael Cook is a registered level 3 sex offender.
District Attorney Shugrue was in the courtroom for sentencing. After sentencing he stated, “No sentence, regardless of length, will truly reckon for Michael Cook Sr.’s crimes. However, I hope that today brings a measure of closure and peace for Charli’s family and our community.”
Michael Cook Sr. will serve his sentence in State Prison.