Homeless Man Convicted in Triple Homicide

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions today against a man who killed three people in a Knoxville homeless camp. Joshua H. Cool, 30, was convicted of two counts of First Degree Murder and one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide following a four-day trial. Upon return of the jury verdict, Judge Scott Green sentenced Cool to an automatic life sentence for each First Degree Murder count. Under a life sentence, Cool must serve at least fifty-one years in prison before he is eligible for parole. The case is set for a sentencing hearing on April 22 to determine if the life sentences will run consecutive to each other.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney Leslie Nassios explained to the jury that on April 9, 2013, the Knoxville Police Department responded to a 911 call in the area of 833 Richard Street. Responding officers discovered a nearby homeless camp where three victims had been murdered. KPD Investigator Amy Jinks determined that Cool and codefendants Hope Warvi and Brandon Roberts strangled and beat three victims to death in the camp, but investigators were unable to determine a motive for the murders.

“This brutal, vicious, and senseless violence left three people dead and three families with more questions than answers,” said DA Charme Allen,”but because of the convictions in this case, these perpetrators will never again be able to commit such atrocities.”

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.