By Associated Press - Thursday, January 25, 2018

PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on the bail hearing for a man accused in nine killings in Phoenix (all times local):

4 p.m.

A judge is considering whether to deny bail to a man accused in a string of deadly shootings in metro Phoenix.

Judge Michael Kemp says Thursday that he’ll have to read grand jury transcripts before deciding whether to deny bail to Cleophus Cooksey Jr.

His bail was set at $1 million on charges he killed his mother and stepfather.

It was upped to $5 million after police said he killed seven others. No charges have been filed in those deaths.

Prosecutors say state law denies bail to people charged with crimes for which they can seek the death penalty.

Authorities haven’t said whether they’ll seek the death penalty.

Defense attorneys say prosecutors can’t show why the deaths of Cooksey’s mother and stepfather could lead to the death penalty.

____

1 a.m.

A hearing is scheduled Thursday to consider whether to deny bail to a man accused in a string of killings in metro Phoenix.

Bail for Cleophus Emmanuel Cooksey Jr. was set at $1 million after his mid-December arrest on murder charges in the shooting deaths of his mother and stepfather.

It was upped to $5 million last week after police said he killed seven others.

No charges have been filed in those deaths.

Prosecutors say state law denies bail to people charged with crimes for which they can seek the death penalty.

They haven’t said whether they’ll seek the death penalty.

His attorneys say prosecutors can’t show why the deaths of Cooksey’s mother and stepfather could lead to the death penalty.

Cooksey pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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