Father Found Guilty in Brutal Double Murder Case, Threatens Prosecutor and Sheriff During Sentencing

A 62-year-old West Virginia man, Carl Cox, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of his daughter, Rhonda Cox, 38, and son-in-law Jimmy Neal, 34. The tragic incident occurred in January 2022 at the family's residence.

During the trial held in Fayette County, West Virginia, Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti painted a grim picture of the events leading to the double homicide. Cox was accused of engaging in an illegal sexual relationship with his daughter when she was a minor, which continued into adulthood—an act condemned by West Virginia law. 

Ciliberti further argued that Neal, Rhonda's husband, had discovered this illicit relationship and urged his wife to report it to the authorities.

The prosecution's case was bolstered by witness testimonies and surveillance footage obtained from Cox's home. Witnesses attested to the ongoing incestuous relationship between Cox and his daughter, while footage purportedly showed Cox carrying the murder weapon—a detail starkly contrasting Cox's own claims during the trial.

According to a statement released by the Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County, West Virginia, law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire at Carl Cox's residence. Upon arrival, Cox informed the police that he had heard a gunshot coming from his daughter's bedroom. Rushing in, he purportedly heard his daughter cry out, alleging that her husband had shot her.

The statement further details Cox's account, asserting that he claimed to have encountered Jimmy Neal still holding the firearm and firing recklessly within the room. Cox asserted that he intervened, wrestling the weapon from Neal's grasp before using it to fatally shoot him.

However, subsequent investigations, including scrutiny of surveillance footage and purported conversations relayed by Cox to fellow inmates, painted a conflicting narrative. Prosecutors revealed that the inquiry indicated both victims were discovered in bed, with gunshot wounds indicating they were likely shot where they lay. Rhonda sustained a fatal shot to the chest, while Jimmy endured multiple wounds to the neck, chest, and hand. Additionally, investigators found two bullet holes in the mattress near Neal's body, hinting that he may have been shot while lying down, contradicting Cox's account of a struggle.

Surveillance footage purportedly captured Cox walking towards the bedroom with the murder weapon visibly holstered at his side, contradicting his assertion during the trial that he had left the firearm elsewhere. Cox purportedly claimed that Neal might have discovered the gun in the bathroom, a claim refuted by the evidence presented.

Contrary to Cox's defense, the investigation revealed that both victims were found shot in their bed, with no signs of a struggle. Prosecutors argued that the killings were executed in cold blood, with Cox as the perpetrator.

Despite the guilty verdict, jurors recommended mercy during Cox's sentencing, granting him the possibility of parole after serving either 15 or 30 years, depending on the sentence imposed by the court.

However, Cox's reaction to the sentencing was anything but remorseful. In a shocking turn of events, he unleashed a tirade of threats against Prosecutor Anthony Ciliberti and Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley, blaming them for his predicament.

“He had a boisterous outburst laden with expletives, cussing at the judge, cussing at me, we’re all out to get him (Cox said) and that’s been part of his defense and that Fayette County is out to get him,” Ciliberti said following Monday’s sentencing.

Cox has shown no remorse, Ciliberti said.

“None whatsoever. He threatened to kill me during the sentencing hearing if he ever got out,” Cliberti said. “Apparently it’s my fault that he is where he is.”

Ciliberti said the murders were senseless.

“There was no reason for these two individuals to be killed, none whatsoever,” he said. “Mr. Cox knows for sure why this happened but regardless the killings were not justified and I don’t believe the evidence showed that they were.”

Fayette County Circuit Judge Paul Blake sentenced Cox to consecutive life terms, with the earliest chance for parole at the age of 92.

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