Crime Scene

The packed courtroom in Delaware went silent yesterday as James Cooke Jr. was led in.  In a few moments he would hear the judge’s decision: should he die for the rape and strangulation of White Plains college student Lindsey Bonistall or spend the rest of his life in prison. 

He and his lawyers knew what was coming. Judge Jerome Herlihy had never gone against a jury recommendation in a death penalty case and Cooke’s jury was unanimous in favor of execution.

But as all eyes were on Cooke – many filled with hate – defense lawyers Brendan O’Neill and Kevin O’Connell stood as he shuffled to the table, something they had not done throughout the trial. It was a moment of respect for a man vilified as a brutal killer. They were telling him he would not stand there completely alone.