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Bluffs man pleads guilty in wife’s murder

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February 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A Pottawattamie County man has reached a deal with prosecutors that could result in him being sentenced to 25-years in prison for the death of his wife. The Omaha World-Herald reports 55-year old Darwin Cox, of Council Bluffs, plead guilty Thursday in district court, to charges of voluntary manslaughter, intimidation with a dangerous weapon with intent, and going armed with intent. His case had been set to go to trial Feb. 18th.

Darwin Cox was initially charged with first-degree murder following an investigation into the Oct. 15, 2013 shooting of his wife, Millisa, as the woman ran out of their home at 3441 Avenue B. The shooting occurred after an argument that began the night before. Authorities said Darwin Cox fired a handgun from inside the home through a window, striking his wife. He attempted suicide shortly thereafter, shooting himself in the head, and spent time in the hospital before being transferred to the Pottawattamie County Jail.

The first two charges against him each carry a 10-year maximum sentence. The third charge carries a five-year sentence. The intimidation charge includes a weapons enhancement that requires Cox to serve at least five years of the sentence.The prison sentences will be served consecutively as part of the plea deal. As part of the plea agreement, Darwin Cox was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the family.