Midland City murder result of fight between cousins
MIDLAND CITY - A fight between cousins led to the first murder in Midland City in 18 years, according to authorities.
Midland City Police Investigator John Green said Josh O’neal Cook, 27, of Kimberly Street, was charged Monday with the murder of his cousin, James David Stephens Jr., 38, of Browns Crossroads, after an altercation involving Cook’s wife.
Green said Cook called 911 around 10 p.m. on Monday and said he had been in a fight. When authorities arrived, Green said Cook was in front of the residence with his hands up, saying he had shot a person.
Green said Stephens was found in the pickup truck he had driven to Cook’s residence after Cook’s wife called Stephens there because of a dispute she and Cook were having about their child, according to Green.
Cook allegedly shot Stephens once with a .22 caliber revolver. Stephens died early Tuesday during surgery at Flowers Hospital, Green said.
Cook was transported to the Dale County Jail under no bond.
Green said he had received no information of prior domestic violence reports at the residence involving Stephens or the Cooks.
Cook’s wife had recently moved from the residence, Green said.
“It’s unfortunate for anybody to lose their life, but to lose it in this manner is truly a family tragedy,” Green said.
Midland City was assisted Monday by the Napier Field Police Department, the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and Dale County Rescue, Green said.
Green said the last murder in Midland City happened July 11, 1991, on Michelin Avenue in Midland City when Robert Beacham shot Roy Chapman.
Eagle staff writer Matt Elofson contributed to this story.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
i hardly knew him,met him 2 times. once at his moms home w/childern,and once at his home at the river. he was always nice and spoke of a very caring love for his childern. my brother eugene knew him very well. and said it was a shame that this man could ever do something as bad as this. my husband also knew him. and said he was the nicest man you could ever met. i do hope that what ever happend, will ease the pain im sure his family feels. god needed aanother angle to help him build all of our homes. so please people, let the good lord handle the blame here.its not up to us. no the pain will never stop. (this also happend to my brother)but ive put it in gods hands along time ago. couse i still have to live for my family. now hush little childern dont you cry for daddy is looking at you from the sky, wype your eyes and say a payer. for some day you’ll see him there. god bless you all. with love from one family to all of you. the gardner family.
What if? Coulda..Woulda..Shoulda…? Who care’s about any of that… Our dear friend Spanky was taken from us far too soon. Why a man took a gun and shot a family member,who, knowing Spanky, cared about everyone involved.. is unthinkable. Knowing that I will never see his smile or that twinkle in his eye, is very sad for me and everyone I work with. I saw him 2-3 times a day at work, and keep expecting to see him walk right in. My condolences to the family and friends, I know how much I will miss him is nothing compared to you… Just know that Spanky was Loved by all…
every parnet has the right to protect thier child if their child was in harms way .. but this was not the case….im not blaming the woman for the death of spanky…. im blaming the husband 4 it… he sat there and shot a unarmed man which was his own cousin that he could of just talked to but insttead he to it upon hisself to shoot him ...anyone that knew spanky knew the type of guy that he was if you called him for help he was there 4 you.. did the guy ever thing HEY WAIT A MIN maybe i should just talk to him and see if he could help us get this straight but no that was not the case. now these life have been change and these kids are with out thier father and 4 what a cousin trying to help anothe cousin out… did it ever run through josh mind when he pulled the gun… what will my child think how would spankys kids feel his family no he did not he was just thinking of hisself and thinking that his cousin was messing with his wife.. so did he love his child really did he….spanky was a great guy and a caring guy so dont get on here and bashing him 4 trying tohelp his family that is what family do… so rest in peace spank we all know what a great and wonderful guy you was and how you helped anyone that need it… we love and will miss you….
now josh has to pay 4 what he did and live with it the rest of his life…
Some People don’t really know what happen. The only person besides Mr. Cook,Mrs.Cook,Mr.Stephens is God and he knows what went on. He knows that there was no reason for Mr. Stephens to be there. They should not have messed with the doors to his house. Mrs.Cook knew what she was doing was wrong. One thing I do know about Mr. Cook is that he loved his Son and that he would do anything to protect him from danger.Mr.Cook is a good Church going man that loves his family.I know that he would not have ment to kill anyone but,if you have ever been in a place where you felt threatned then you would understand. My thought and prayers are with Mr.Stephens family in the loss of thier family member. My Prayers also with Mr.Cook’s Family and with Mr.Cook. All I can say is Trust in God and the truth will come out. He is the all seeing and knowing God.
whats wrong with you people? all you guys or girls whatever you are, your blaming the woman just because she was there and called spanky (james), you dont know the story all you know is what is on this little bit of news. was you there? heck na! so stop blaming her, wouldn’t you be scared if someone had a gun and your child was there and you wanted them in safety first, i mean cops are not the first people you think about when your in shock. yes i have to say spanky (james) was a great guy. i mean i knew everyone that was there i know how the life of both mrs and mr cook went, lets say they was like family im not saying what they was to me but just understand dont blame mrs. cook it’s not all her fault the shot didn’t come from her it came from him! yes SPANKY (james) rest in peace i didn’t get to know you long but you was a great man, i know for a fact my respect is to you in heaven.
realize truth and fact
This is hard for me to deal with. They are both my cousin’s, but Spanky and I were close and he was like my brother. I do think my the wife should have called the cops instead of Spanky but that still does not give Josh the right to shoot and kill, who does he think he is GOD I think not. At this moment I’m hurt and at the same time I have anger. Spanky will be missed but never forgotten. He will always be in our hearts and always on my mind.
Let me get this straight, the wife doesn’t live there, she calls Stephens to come to Cook’s house? Why would she call him and not the MCPD Why wouldn’t she just leave? She don’t live there. Something is going on here, and most of the people in Midland City know it, hopefully the courts will get the full picture too.
one thing for sure , theres no woman alive worth killing someone over. Women are like buses , another one come by every 15 minutes.
This was my uncle
News editor Christie Kulavich guides you to fun events happening in the Wiregrass.
Sports writer Drew Champlin writes about the latest sports news from Troy University.
Reporters Lance Griffin and Debbie Ingram write about latest news released on the country music development planned for Houston County.
Advertisement