North Adams man sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A North Adams man was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty in connection with the death of his estranged wife, Charli Cook.

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The charges stem from an incident in July 2019, when Michael Cook Sr. broke into Charli Cook’s home and attacked her as she lay in bed, hitting the back of the head with a hammer. Despite receiving medical care, she died five months later, with the medical examiner ruling that her death was a direct result of the brain damage caused by the attack.

Cook was convicted of five charges:

• Murder in the second degree

• Assault with intent to murder

• Assault and destruction by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily harm

• Assault and battery on a family/household member

• Armed assault with intent to murder

A Berkshire County jury found Cook Sr. found guilty of second-degree murder and multiple other charges. On Thursday, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

District Attorney Shugrue said, “No sentence, regardless of length, will truly take into account the crimes of Michael Cook Sr. However, I hope that today brings some measure of closure and peace to Charli’s family and our community.” He added: “Domestic violence is a devastating reality in the Berkshires. We must work together to proactively prevent domestic violence, while also supporting survivors and achieving justice for the abuse they have suffered.”

Michael Cook is a Level 3 registered sex offender in Massachusetts, meaning he is at high risk for recidivism. In 2011, he was convicted of three counts of rape of a child by force and one count of sexual assault and battery on a child under 14.

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