A northwest Ohio man who acknowledged his role in nine killings could be released from prison under a plea deal that allows him to apply for release as soon as Tuesday.
Attorneys for 59-year-old Nathaniel Cook are expected to file for his judicial release under the terms of his plea agreement. Cook pleaded guilty to attempted murder and two counts of kidnapping in exchange for 20 years in prison, which ends Tuesday.
Prosecutors say Cook and his 68-year-old brother Anthony Cook killed nine people between 1973 and 1981. Anthony Cook is serving two life terms in prison.
The Lucas County prosecutor's office has filed a motion for Nathaniel Cook to be evaluated for a possible designation as a sexual predator.
Prosecutor Julia Bates says under the plea deal, her office agreed to not oppose Nathaniel Cook’s judicial release. But she says the sexual predator designation would help officials keep an eye on Cook for the rest of his life.
Some family members of the Cooks’ victims say while they consented to the plea agreement at the time, they’re still upset at the idea of either brother ever getting out of prison.
