NORFOLK, Va. — Cola Beale, who was found guilty earlier this year for killing his girlfriend and father figure in 2022 will be back in court this week for allegedly killing his cousin.
Beale is accused of murdering 32-year-old cousin, Downing McLean — his third and final victim in the crime spree. He faces charges of first-degree murder and use of a gun to commit murder.
Norfolk
Cola Beale convicted of two murders, burning down his girlfriend's townhome
In March 2022, Beale shot his girlfriend, Czavi'er Hill, 31, in the head inside her Virginia Beach home and then set the residence on fire, burning Hill's dog alive while it was caged in a kennel.
A couple of days later, police say Beale shot and killed Clifton Baxter, 73, while he slept on the couch inside his house. Baxter was in a relationship with Beale’s mother and continued to have a relationship with him after they broke up.
Beale admitted to these killings in a police interrogation and a News 3 jailhouse interview.
In that same interview with News 3, Beale said he killed McClean by shooting him in the head and back after the two argued.
"I got fed up with him because he didn't think I was helping him, so I said, 'Man, I just killed two people... do you think I'm not ready to shoot again?'" Beale said. "I went right in the kitchen, shot him in the head. He didn’t drop and kept moving, so I shot him in the back to make sure he hit the ground."
Norfolk
Cola Beale convicted of two murders, burning down his girlfriend's townhome
In the Virginia Beach trial in March, Beale was convicted after just two days. He's scheduled to be sentenced on those charges on July 2.
Beale gave another jailhouse interview after that conviction where he expressed remorse for his crimes.
"I wish their loved ones would heal, but I know right now they're all taking time to heal," he told News 3's Jay Greene in March. "Hopefully it's soon."
Beale's four-day trial in Norfolk is set to begin Tuesday and News 3 will be inside the courtroom.
Editor’s note. In previous coverage, News 3 has referred to Clifton Baxter as Beale’s “adoptive father.” Baxter was in a relationship with Beale’s mother and continued to have a relationship with him after they broke up, but did not legally adopt him.
