Our fight justice finally had some results with Clyde Cooper being sentenced to 15 years in prison and Dwain Foster receiving a 1-5 year sentence, which was really hard to take. We are now onto the the 3rd suspect and Im praying for no plea bargains only a long prison term for Rhamel Hatcher.
RIP Jeremy, the fight will continue and we will never give up.
UPDATE 8/18/10 @ 6 p.m.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- What started out as an evening with friends at a Huntington nightclub ended in murder. Now, one man is dead after getting beaten up and two others are charged with killing him.
It’s a case that’s drawing strong emotions from both sides -- starting with the family of the murder victim, Jeremy Cook. He was fighting a battle of his own against cancer and beating it when, instead, he died from a beating.
And the family of one of the suspects says their loved one has never caused any trouble and spent his life helping others instead of hurting them.
"My son wouldn’t ever do anything to hurt anyone, harm anyone much less kill anyone," said Mitzi Lewis, Dwain Foster's mother.
But, Lewis' son, Dwain Foster, is charged with murder -- accused of beating Jeremy Cook to death. Clyde Cooper faces the same charges. The murder happened about four months ago, but the grand jury just made the indictments last week, bringing arrests one family says are long overdue.
"We’re just glad someone is behind bars," said Jamie Cook, Jeremy Cook's father. "Now, we’ll just wait and see what the judge says."
According to police, in mid-May Jeremy was spending the evening with friends at Peckers, a Huntington nightclub in the 1400 block of 4th Avenue. But witnesses said a dispute inside the club led to a fight outside. That's when Jeremy was severely beaten. He died in the hospital the next day from injuries police believed to be caused by Cooper and Foster.
"My son is always helping people," said Gregory B. Foster, Dwain Foster's father. "He helped me 24/7. There’s no way he could have done anything like this and I believe that in my heart."
But, there's a wrinkle in this case. Jeremy Cook, an army veteran, also suffered from leukemia, an issue raising some critical questions.
"Why was he out at a nightclub?" Lewis said. "If he had cancer, why wasn’t he at home and what did he do? Did he start something?"
“First, his cancer was in remission," said Alisa Sizemore, Jeremy Cook’s mother. "Second, people who have cancer deserve to live a normal life, too. They want that, and he was just out spending time with his friends."
Jeremy's diagnosis came late last year, but his family says he was nearing the end of his chemo treatments with good results.
Dwain Foster and Clyde Cooper are in the Western Regional Jail in Cabell County. Bond has not been set.
Both asked the judge Wednesday morning to be considered for home confinement or the day report center. The judge will review the requests. The two suspects are due back in court Sept. 17.
UPDATE 8/18/10 @ 10:08 a.m.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The two men charged in the beating death of a Hurricane man were arraigned Wednesday morning.
Last week, a Cabell County Grand Jury indicted 27-year-old Dwain Foster and 27-year-old Clyde Cooper for the murder of 22-year-old Jeremy Cook.
During Wednesday's hearing in Cabell County Circuit Court, Foster and Copper pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Both men remain in the Western Regional Jail. Bond was not discussed during the hearing.
Their next court hearing is set for September 17.
According to Jeremy's family and police, Jeremy went to Pecker's Bar along Huntington's 4th Avenue on May 14 to spend time with friends. Around 3 a.m., a fight started just outside the bar. Bouncers broke it up, but the fight continued in the alley in the 1400 block of 4th Avenue. That's where police found Jeremy. He died from his injuries several days later at a Huntington hospital.
UPDATE 8/16/10 @ 8:08 a.m.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The two men indicted by a grand jury for the death of a Hurricane man are now behind bars.
27-year-old Dwain R. Foster was booked into the Western Regional Jail early Sunday morning.
Foster and Clyde Cooper are charged with the beating death of Jeremy Cook back in May,according to the Cabell County Grand Jury indictment
released last week.
Copper, 27, was arrested on Friday.
Both men are expected to appear in Cabell County Circuit Court later this week.
UPDATE 8/14/10 @ 2:30 p.m.
HUNTINGTON,W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man is behind bars for allegedly beating a Hurricane man to death.
A Cabell County Grand Jury has indicted two men for murder in connection with a beating that took place outside of a Huntington nightclub in May.
Clyde Cooper III is now in jail for the murder charge. Another man, who authorities have not named, is still wanted in connection with the death of Jeremy Cook.
On May 14th, bouncers broke up a fight outside of Pecker's bar. Later, Cook was found beaten and unconscious in a back alley. He died from his injuries.
At the time, the 22-year-old was battling leukemia.
UPDATE @ 6:30 p.m.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The night started with friends at a bar. But it ended with Jeremy Cook badly beaten, dying in a Huntington alley.
Now, desperate family members are trying to find out who killed the 22-year-old cancer patient and why.
All Jamie Cook has left of his son are the memories. Jeremy Cook was 22-years-old and already fighting the battle of his life. Six months ago, he was diagnosed with leukemia and given a 50 percent chance to live.
"He said he was doing well," Jamie said.
But that cautious hope turned to despair Friday morning with a phone call -- Jeremy had been severely beaten and was in the hospital.
"His face was black and blue; the side of his body was black and blue, his knees," Jamie said. "He was unconscious. I never even got to talk to him."
According to Jeremy's family and police, Jeremy went to Pecker's Bar along Huntington's 4th Avenue Thursday night to spend time with friends. Around 3 a.m., a fight started just outside bar. Bouncers broke it up, but the fight continued in the alley in the 1400 block of 4th Avenue. That's where police found Jeremy.
Now, officers are reviewing surveillance video, questioning witnesses and searching for answers.
"Please, no one deserved anything like this," Jamie said. "If you know anything, please come forward."
Jeremy died from his injuries at the hospital Sunday morning, and police are calling this a homicide investigation.
Jeremy's father says his son's cancer was in remission and he was on the upswing.
If you have any information about the events that led to Jeremy Cook's death, call the Huntington Police Department's Detective Bureau at 304-696-4420.
ORIGINAL STORY 5/18/10
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Huntington Police are investigating a fight that left a man dead as a possible homicide.
Jeremy Cook, 22, of Hurricane, W.Va., died early Sunday at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Police say the incident happened at about 3 a.m. Thursday.
Detectives John Williams and Chris Sperry tell WSAZ.com that police believe the fight began on the street outside a club in the 14-hundred block of 4th Avenue.
Williams said that bouncers at that club then broke up the fight, and moved it away from their doors.
The fight then spilled into the 4 1/2 alley where Cook was found beaten.
Investigators said Cook was struck several times by one or more individuals, and those injuries are believed to be directly related to his death.
Detective Williams said several dozen people were at the scene when police and emergency responders arrived.
Sperry tells WSAZ.com nearby surveillance video showed a portion of the incident.
Investigators continue to interview possible witnesses.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.
If you have a picture you would like to share of Cook, send it to news@wsaz.com.
JEREMY SCOTT COOK
Jeremy Scott Cook, 22, of Hurricane passed away Sunday, May 16, 2010 in Cabell-Huntington Hospital.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, May 21, 2010 at Heck Funeral Home, Milton with the Rev. Chad Clark officiating.
Burial followed in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. He was born January 16, 1988 in Leominster, MA.
He is survived by his father and stepmother, James and Jessica Cook of Culloden; mother and stepfather, Alisa and Jim Sizemore of Hurricane; three brothers, Shawn Tyler Cook of Hurricane, Tanner Cook of St. Albans and Christian Casto of Culloden; two sisters, Morgan Cook of St. Albans and Brooklyn Sizemore of Hurricane; paternal grandparents, Rich and Sue Bishop of Hurricane; maternal grandparents, Brenda Lowther of Hurricane and David Powell and his wife, Nancy of Milton; three aunts, Margie Stepanski, Melodie McLane and Misty Bailey; one uncle, Scott Lowther and very special friend, Raven Cook.
Jeremy was born in Leominster, MA while his dad Jamie was in the Army at Fort Dyer. Jamie and I were only 19 years old when we had Jeremy, both of us scared to death. I can remember January 15th and 16th 1988 like it was yesterday. I was in labor and we lived 30 min from the hospital and of course we had to stop to get gas and I remember eating potatoe chips and dipping them in chocolate icecream on the way to the hospital. Then we had the longest labor with him 17 hours before a c-section. I think Jamie wore the hospital floors out with his pacing. The next thing I remember was waking up and Jamie holding Jeremy right beside of me, how quickly all that pain disappears when you see your child for the first time. A few hours later we had my Dad, Nana, Grandma and Grandpa Powell they finally made the long trip from WV to MA in the snow to see their first born grandson and great grandson. Grandma of course with her shopping bags loaded full of her goodies for Jeremy. After we took him home I was lucky enough to have Grandma Sue and Auny Kay (Jamie's mom and aunt) to ome and help me to care for Jeremy. They taught me so much and we had such a goodtime. Jeremy loved to sprinkle everyone when his diaper was off and feedings were interesting. I always had a mess. We still had more family yet to visit. Pops, Gran, Uncle Scott and Grandma Mil came for a week to see Jeremy. Uncle Scott was like a little Mr. Mom to him, Jeremy was always his little buddy. For the first couple of months were so blessed to have had our family to lean on and get thru those first few months.
Jeremy seemed to have his share of medical issues, he had surgery when he was just a few months old not once but twice. Once in WV while home on leave and again in MA for an umbilical hernia, many of you know about his lil scar he hated on his stomach, lol. Then when he was just a couple years old we discovered his long journey with asthma and allergies. We spent many hours in the ER and Drs. appts. We even spent Christmas eve in the ER with his asthma at age 3 and he saw santa there, which I think caused him more breathing problems.
We lived in Binlach West Germany while Jamie was serving in the Army. We had a beautiful apt in a village with a sweet german landlord who often was our sitter, she had Jeremy saying german words and he would teach me. We had many good times together in Germany.
To be continued.....
