Cook Makes Case, Awaits Outcome of Exoneration Hearing

TYLER (AP) – A former Texas death row inmate has argued in court that he should be exonerated in the 1977 death of a 21-year-old woman because another man is responsible for the killing. Kerry Max Cook appeared Friday in a Tyler court to argue for a final ruling of actual innocence in the death of Linda Jo Edwards. A murder charge against him was dropped last month based in part on false testimony previously given in his case. Cook would be eligible for compensation if it’s determined he’s innocent in the matter. The judge who oversaw Friday’s hearing will forward a recommendation to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will make the determination. Cook says a man having an affair with Edwards at the time of her death was the killer.