Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Cox Pleads Guilty to Agg. Domestic Violence

 Former MHP Trooper Todd Cox  was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated domestic violence and felony evasion on November 9 in Rankin County Circuit Court.

A Rankin County grand jury indicted Cox in August for aggravated domestic violence after Rankin deputies arrested him for assaulting his wife. Earlier post on November 1.   A May 1, 2022 police report states: 

Upon arrival, I spoke with Katie Cox who advised her husband Richard Todd Cox punched her in the stomach while outside at the front door causing her to fall over the bushes. Once they got into the master bedroom Mr. Cox hit Mrs. Cox in the head, kicked her and choked her until she almost passed out. Mrs. Cox had a bruise on the right leg, redness on her neck and had bleed from the nose. The bed cover had blood in several spots on it. Mr. Cox was already gone upon arrival. Mr. Cox is driving a Silver 2020 Chevrolet Silverado bearing MS tag xxxxxx. Mr. Cox does a key to Mrs. Cox's vehicle. Mrs. Cox was able to provide a voluntary written statement. Reservoir Fire Department and Pafford was requested. Mrs. Cox went with Pafford Ambulance Services to St. Dominic's Hospital for treatment. Investigator B. Smith was notified of the situation. Photos of the injuries were taken and sent to Investigator B. Smith.

Unfortunately, trouble seemed to follow Cox.   JJ reported on November 1: 

Cox allegedly and hurriedly sped down Castlewoods Boulevard, flying through the stop sign at Meadowview Ridge in front of a deputy on June 2.  The deputy gave chase but Cox sped up, ignoring more stop signs as he "swerved in and out of traffic."  The chase continued on Lakeland Drive but ended at the Highway 471 exit when the defendant finally pulled over.  He got out of the vehicle with his hands on top of his head and was compliant. The police report states Cox reeked of alcohol.  Deputies obtained a search warrant and transported Cox to the hospital where a blood sample was drawn.  

The poor man's version of a Smokey & The Bandit chase ended in Cox's arrest for felony fleeing, disregard for traffic device, reckless driving, and DUI.

Cox's problems continued when deputies arrested him again on Halloween and charged him with witness tampering.  The victim emailed a request to drop the charges to the District Attorney. The victim's October 25 statement for the witness tampering charges alleges:

Cox kept on and on ask/telling me to go to the DA and try to get them to drop charges.  He wanted me to say that nothing happened and I take back my original statement the night he was arrested for the domestic. Todd said if I did so he would settle w/me on our divorce and not tell anyone we had been in contact.  So after feeling like I had no other choice, I emailed Leslie, say I did not want to have anything else with this case and I did not want him to go to jail.

Rankin County Court Judge David Morrow denied bond for Cox at his initial appearance.  Whether Judge Morrow granted him bond did not matter because Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur revoked his bond for the two indictments.   

Judge Morrow held a preliminary hearing for Cox on November 8 that provided more information on the witness tampering arrest.   The video of the hearing is posted below (That is good ole Cheyenne Smith sitting on the front row of prisoners.). 

RCSO Investigator Bradley Smith took the stand.  Assistant District Attorney Gregory Miles questioned Smith.  He said the victim emailed the District Attorney on October 5, stating she did not want to pursue the domestic violence charges. She appeared at the District Attorney's office a week later and said the email was not true.  Cox met with the victim and allegedly told her he would agree to a divorce settlement if she dropped the charges.  

Cox attorney Derek Hall didn't let the investigator leave the stand without a vigorous cross-examination.  Smith admitted he did not speak to the victim.  Investigator Fred Lubbock (sp?) took her statement.  Hall asked Smith if he knew Cox's wife had been pursuing him for several month for continuing the marriage.  Smith said he was unaware of such behavior on the part of the victim.  Hall said she met with her husband "on numerous occasions voluntarily."  Smith said he knew about the meetings but "they didn't look into it."  He said although Cox was subject to the restraining order, it was legal for the victim to contact Cox.  The District Attorney's office conceded at the bond revocation hearing the contact between the parties was mutual. 



The cross-examination continued as Hall politely but tightened the screws a little more.  He asked if Smith knew the couple had "marital relations" in May, June, July, and August.  The investigator said it would not have a bearing on the witness tampering charge.  Hall elicited an admission that the investigators never spoke to Cox or his lawyer about the charge.   Smith said it was pretty tough to investigate the charge since it already occurred. 

Judge Morrow said there was sufficient evidence to bind Cox over to the grand jury.  He declined to address the issue of bond for Cox since his bond was already revoked on the indictments.  

However, the issue of bonds and witness tampering soon became moot as Cox suddenly pleaded guilty the next day in Rankin County Circuit Court. 

Judge Arthur accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Cox to serve 20 years in prison for aggravated domestic violence but suspended 17 years of the sentence. He sentenced Cox to serve 5 years in prison for felony evasion but suspended two years of the sentence.  Cox will serve a five year term of probation upon release from prison.  

The witness tampering charge was dismissed as part of the plea bargain. 

Kingfish note: Cox will probably see freedom after serving 50% of the sentence.  Law enforcement sources said the victim was not exactly cooperative, thus weakening the case.

 

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not surprised with this blessing. Police officers are the law. The judge can’t risk sending a message that suggests otherwise. Suspending 90% of his sentence, sure why not? He‘s only a violent drunk power tripping asshole, why not show him some leniency.

Kingfish said...

Like I said, uncooperative witness. Remember those softball coaches in Ridgeland only getting five years? Problem was the victim was brainwashed and wouldn't cooperate. So they had to go for a plea deal. That is the major problem in abuse cases when strong medical evidence, correspondence, and video evidence do not exist.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how fast cases move thru the court system in Rankin County as compared with Hinds County?! This POS would have waited years for his case to go to court if he had committed the crime in Hinds.

Anonymous said...

Comments stating that former cops don't do well in prison in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Anonymous said...

I back the black and blue wives of Mississippi police officers. Never understood why they are held to a lower standard when the break the law, should be the opposite. Shameful sentencing from this joke of a judge.

Kingfish said...

Not really. He decided to plead guilty the day after the prelim. Things usually move pretty quickly, even in Hinds County, when that happens. ;-)

Anonymous said...

This is the same officer from this post, correct? http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2019/01/dps-reversed-on-trooper-firing.html

Can he be tried for perjury as well since he obviously lied to keep his job in that case.

Anonymous said...

No wonder so many Rankin county people are moving to Jackson!!!!

Anonymous said...

If you or your partner don’t want each other please go your separate ways. If you have kids be cordial and make an exit as fast as possible.

My prayers are with the kids, this is so sad!

Anonymous said...

do you think he has questioned how he screwed his life up so bad? From a Trooper (and I think most are good) to a inmate in one short incident.

Anonymous said...

11:48. Steroids and booze

Anonymous said...

MHP still the shit. One reason to try and become one, getting off easy for crimes and misbehavior.

Anonymous said...

11:27
They don’t have kids together. The victim has the mentality of a child. Cox stole her from his best friend, another trooper. She’s a real class act.

Anonymous said...

What a joke of a sentence. Violent assault, evading, tampering and this coward will be free in a year or so! Rankin Co handing out blessin’s. Weak judge. I have a friend that got charged with felony evasion in stankin county for outrunning a deputy 10 yrs ago. They gave him 5 years with 3 to serve for that one offense with no prior felonies. They also classified him as C custody (max security) which meant no chance to go to a private facility or no trustee status and considered him a flight risk since his charge was evasion. Bet they won’t do that to this fortunate asshole. He’ll be in protective custody with a tv, cell phone etc.

Anonymous said...

11:27 She is a child! What are they 20 years apart? That’s taking advantage of a young woman. Also, there are no circumstances that call for a woman to be beat. Period! Class Act or not! We have choices in choosing our spouses and if they turn out crazy either love them for who they are or leave. Don’t try and change them by beating them!

Anonymous said...

So the victim is brainwashed if she is the one contacting him and Spent every night in September with him????? I’ve seen on many occasions where they were arguing .. and she just started hitting him and slapping him in public. He did nothing to retaliate. In her own words .. she said she can hit a man if she wants to and they should sit there and take it. That’s one of the problems with this case is she is just as guilty but he gets the punishment.

Anonymous said...

Why on earth would he choose to remain in a relationship with her then 8:25?
I will never understand why men seek out these nut jobs.
If she is hitting him and telling him that she thinks its acceptable.
Why didn't he leave her alone?

Both of them sound like ridiculous children.

Anonymous said...

@ 820 I totally agree .. sometimes the wildest craziest women are the ones we hold on to the most. It’s like an addiction in some ways I guess. I’ve certainly dated my share of crazy women but if one hit me at all … I sent her packing .. I don’t put up with it .. but I know the girl he was married too and she used to beat her ex husband up too. She needs counseling, rehab and jail time herself.

Anonymous said...

Don't. YOU. PEOPLE. DARE!!! try to place ANY blame on his wife. This is his 2nd wife, and he did the same to his 1st wife. In front of their children! He is a physical abuser and an emotional abuser. The women are in no way to blame.

Anonymous said...

I find some of your comments to be disgusting and shameful. I guess I’m talking to those of you that probably get drunk on Saturday night, beat your wives then go to church on Sunday and think all is forgiven. Maybe this young lady didn’t handle herself with grace but NONE of you know what happened behind their closed doors. As a caregiver of women who are abused, I can tell you that there are women that cower down to their abusers then there are women that fight back and most of the time they end up looking like the crazy one because their abuser is very good at manipulating every situation to come out on top. This man is an abuser. He abused both of his wives. Those are the facts. He also abused his authority and position as a law enforcement officer. Obviously he and his attorneys recognized he wasn’t going to be able to lie or manipulate his way out of this one. He pleaded guilty because he’s guilty. He’s in prison. Let it go and let this young lady try to recover and heal from the hell that she’s most likely been living.

Anonymous said...

10:48
But we DO know what happened behind closed doors because he videoed it and some of us have seen it. See the problem is some of us posting on here actually know these people and know what happened. Then there are people like you who just want to run your suckhole.

Anonymous said...

10:22 I’m guessing you’re a good friend of Todd’s so your comment is not surprising. Sounds like you too might be under his control or spell, just like his ex-wives were. There are several of us that have seen the videos as well. But we also know he is a master manipulator, con and liar and always makes himself look squeaky clean. Do you really think he’s going to video himself choking and beating the hell out of his wife?? Wow, hope you can see the light. If not, good luck to ya.

Anonymous said...

10:22 That’s really classy. What a loser.

Anonymous said...

This page is just like cnn…won’t allow things to be posted that are facts.

Anonymous said...

Guess you stop posting the messages when you get your point across and don’t allow for the truth to be told.. just wondering … prove me wrong !!!!!



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.