Cola Beale IV Jury trial wraps up, Commonwealth and defense rests
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Closing arguments, followed by jury deliberations, will start Wednesday morning after two days of testimony in the Cola Beale IV double murder trial.
The Commonwealth rested after 15 witnesses testified to a series of violent crimes at the end of March 2022.
Beale has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder, torturing an animal causing death, arson and gun charges. The punishment for aggravated murder is a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
In an interview with WAVY.com, Beale admitted to killing his girlfriend Czavi’er Hill and his father figure Clifton Baxter in Virginia Beach before traveling to Norfolk and killing his cousin. Beale was finally arrested in Hampton.
Beale told a Virginia Beach Police homicide detective he killed Hill and Baxter because he was upset with his probation status and sex offender registry. Beale also said he reached a “breaking point” after an argument with Hill. He continuously blames Hill’s mom for questioning their relationship. He added that Baxter would not give him money when he asked.
Trial starts in VB for man accused of killing 3 people in 2 cities
Czavi’er Hill
Step-by-step, Virginia Beach Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kari Kolar and Virginia Beach Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Defricke showed the jury just how violent the series of crimes were in late March 2022.
Virginia Beach Master Firefighter Jason Kassin told the jury that firefighters had to force their way into Hill’s home to put out the fire on Mar. 24, 2022. The firefighters discovered the charred body of Hill and her dog, Prince.
Beach fire investigator Steven Huey explained that the fire was started in the bedroom, likely with gasoline. The court viewed pictures of Hill’s burned body with an object tied around her neck. Dr. Lillian Figueroa, Virginia Beach animal control veterinarian confirmed that her 12 pound dog was burned alive.
At the same time, Hill’s car was intentionally set on fire down the street from her house.
Hill’s parents and church family were seen praying in the hallway of the courthouse following hours of photos and recounting of the events.
Clifton Baxter
Clifton Baxter, was a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran. His family told 10 On Your Side that Baxter was battling prostate cancer at the time he was killed. Baxter started dating Beale’s mom when he was a baby and stayed in his life to help him. A Virginia Beach Police officer documented that Beale’s mail was found at Baxter’s house.
Lt. Adam Bernstein, a Virginia Beach Police sergeant at the time, told the jury Beale’s mom called police to do a welfare check on him.
Bernstein said “as soon as we made entry, we saw Baxter.” Photos of Baxter’s body lying on his couch covered with blanket, with an injury to his eye were shown to the courtroom.
Dr. Wendy Gunther, a medical examiner, confirmed Baxter was shot in the head at close range.
Days later, Hampton police arrested Beale at 127 N. Fourth Street. Lauren Nevling, a Virginia Beach forensic specialist supervisor, found the gun Beale used to shot Baxter, along with Baxter’s mail, weapons and additional ammunition.
About 10 minutes after the Commonwealth rested, Defense Attorney Trevor Robinson said Beale will not take the stand.
Robinson asked Judge James Clayton Lewis for a lesser charge, saying Beale was “stressed” about his sex offender status and probation. The judge said no.
The jury will take over the case Wednesday morning.
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