Appeals court upholds 2004 murder conviction

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin unanimously affirmed the conviction of Richard Aaron Cobb for the capital murder of Kenneth Vandever on Labor Day weekend in 2002.

He was placed in the Cherokee County jail on Sept. 3, 2002 and later indicted by a grand jury impaneled on Sept. 23, 2002.

Mr. Cobb was convicted by a Cherokee County jury in January 2004 and sentenced to death by lethal injection. Appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeals is automatic.

The defendant was represented by William House and Charles Morton at the trial. On direct appeal, he was represented by Mr. House.

The state was represented at the trial by Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth and then assistant district attorney Dave Sorrell. On appeal the state was represented by D.A. Beckworth.

The defendant may now file a motion for rehearing. If that is denied he may request certiari to the U.S. Supreme Court.

His state application for a writ of habeas corpus is pending. After the state writ, Mr. Cobb will file a federal writ of habeas corpus.

Mr. Cobb and Beunka Adams were convicted by separate juries for the capital murder and both have been sentenced to death by lethal injection.