Man found guilty for murdering girlfriend and father figure in Virginia Beach
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Cola Beale IV, 31YO, was convicted on March 20, 2024 for murdering his girlfriend and father figure in Virginia Beach almost exactly two years ago.
Beale is guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of arson, abduction, torturing an animal causing death, and gun charges. It took the jury of six women and six men about an hour to deliberate before reaching that verdict.
Previous Coverage: Cola Beale IV Jury trial wraps up, Commonwealth and defense rests
Day Three
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Defricke delivered closing arguments Wednesday morning, quoting a portion of Beale’s interview with Virginia Beach Police lead homicide detective.
“I did all this sh** by myself,” said Beale.
The prosecutor paints a picture of the ‘willful, deliberate and premeditated’ actions of Beale.
After Beale admitted to police, he committed a series of deadly and disturbing of crimes over several days starting on March 22, 2022.
Over the three-day trial, Defricke and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kari called on 15 expert witnesses, first responders, forensic scientists, an animal control specialist, a veterinarian, and medical examiner.
The testimonies corroborate the things Beale admitted to police and 10 On Your Side.
Beale ‘bound and gagged’ Czavi’er Hill before shooting her in the head with her gun inside her home on Baccalaureate Drive. Ring camera videos show he then invited friends over to take items from Hill’s house.
Days later Beale set her house, dog and car on fire using gasoline.
During this week’s trial, the Commonwealth showed the gruesome pictures of Hill’s home after Beale set it on fire with her body and dog still inside.
The photos were hard for her family to look at. Hill’s family visibly heartbroken by the details in the case.
Evidence also shows Beale shot Clifton Baxter, a 73-year-old Vietnam Veteran that was battling the final stage of prostate cancer.
Police confirm Baxter was shot in the head while in a sleeping position in his home on Linda Court.
Beale said he killed Baxter because he would only give him small amounts of money.
“My brother was kind of hardcore, but he was fair. He was honest. If he saw that you helped yourself. He doesn’t mind helping you. But Mr. Beale wasn’t working and wasn’t trying to find a job,” said Sherry Edwards-Banks, Clifton Baxter’s sister.
Edwards-Banks explains Beale’s mom used to date Baxter. Baxter stayed in their life, Beale’s mail was found my police at Baxter’s home.
“It’s hurtful because my brother raised him. He felt like he treated him just like he was his son. How could you take his life like that?,” said Edwards-Banks. “How can you take a life of somebody that you say you love?”
Dr. Wendy Gunther a medical examiner confirms, Baxter was shot at close range. A loaded gun with the same bullet branding were obtained as evidence at a house in Hampton after Beale was arrested.
After the guilty verdict was read in court, Beale yelled out “can y’all get this sh** over with.”
Judge James Lewis ordered Beale out of the courtroom. This really upset Baxter’s daughters who started to cry.
“He hurt the family. This is really heartbreaking, because my brother went to Vietnam for our freedom and you just took his life like it was nothing,” said Edward-Banks. “Then you had an outburst in the court!”
Despite that, she told WAVY she believes justice was served. “Yes, I do. But I wish they had the death penalty.”
Edwards-Banks adds, “I’m just so sorry because Ms. Hill was very pleasant. She was very loving, and her little dog was just as cute as a button. I’m sorry that that happened to her, that she lost their daughter and that manner.”
Beale could spend rest of his life in prison when he is sentenced for the crimes. Beale is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2.
Check with WAVY.com for more updates.
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