TEMPE, Ariz. — A man who previously served time in prison for killing his wife has been given a life sentence for murdering his girlfriend in Tempe a few years ago, officials said.
Gary L. Cox, 60, was ordered this week to return to the Arizona Department of Corrections after a jury convicted him of murdering a woman in 2020.
Records show Cox killed his wife in 2000. He repeatedly punched her and used a knife to torture her. Cox was convicted of manslaughter, a class two felony, and was sentenced to prison where he incurred 17 disciplinary infractions. He was released from prison in April 2020. Within days, he was arrested for smoking crack cocaine.
A few months later, he was connected to the murder of a woman who had sustained extensive brain bleeding and rib fractures, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The victim, Juli Leigh Munoz, was his girlfriend.
The victim was found deceased in August 2020 at a motel in Tempe. Officers additionally found evidence that Cox had attempted to clean up the crime scene.
Records show police had been tipped off by Cox's brother who stated Cox called him and said his girlfriend was dead and he would be going back to prison. Police then conducted a welfare check.
Court records show Cox's legal team asked for a Rule 11 examination, claiming he was not mentally competent to stand trial, but the court ruled that he was.
Cox was sentenced Friday to natural life in prison.
“These crimes are the essence of evil and they were committed by a person who is a grave threat to the community,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement. “He will spend a very long time in prison, which is precisely where he belongs.”
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Domestic violence resources
If you or anyone you know is in a domestic violence situation help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233 (SAFE).
The Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Hotline is 602-279-2980 or text 520-720-3383.
For help at New Life Domestic Violence in Arizona, call 623-932-4404
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