David Neal Cox, Sr. — white, age 39
Sentenced to death in Union County, Mississippi
By: a jury
Date of crime: May 14, 2010
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Cox pled guilty to shooting his wife, Kim Kirk Cox (age 40), at her sister’s home. The couple was separated at the time of the shooting. Cox also took his son and stepdaughter hostage until deputies forced their way into the home and arrested him. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping, burglary, firing into a dwelling and three counts of sexual assault during a hostage situation over two minor children. Cox also broke out of jail on May 13 2012 only to be arrested a few hours later.
Sources: Mississippi Daily Journal (MS) 9/17/12 (2012 WLNR 19772656), WTVA – TV 9/22/12 AP Alert – MiS 20:23:54, Mississippi Daily Journal (MS) 9/23/12 (2012 WLNR 20264830).
David Dickerson — white, age 40
Sentenced to death in Copiah County, Mississippi
By: a jury
Date of crime: January 2011
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Dickerson shot, stabbed and set Paula Hamilton (age 36) on fire. Hamilton was the mother of Dickerson’s daughter. The day of the attack, Dickerson and Hamilton were to appear in justice court on a stalking complaint Hamilton had brought against Dickerson. However, Dickerson rode a motorcycle to her home, shot, slashed, and stabbed her, poured gasoline on her and left the body to burn. Defense attorneys argued Dickerson had anxiety, paranoia, and an irrational thought process, which interfered with how he functioned. They also claimed Dickerson was abused as a child resulting in his removal from home by the Department of Human Services when he was 16. Dickerson was convicted of capital murder, armed robbery, and arson.
Sources: 12/12/11 AP Alert – MiS 17:08:20, 7/26/12 AP Alert – MiS 12:53:28, 7/26/12 AP Alert – MiS 19:31:22.