Berkshire County man convicted of murdering wife in 2019

A jury has convicted a Berkshire County man of murdering his estranged wife.

Michael Cook Sr. was convicted Friday of second-degree murder for the 2019 killing of his wife, Charli Cook.

Michael Cook broke into her home and hit her in the back of the head several times with a hammer, causing head trauma. She was placed in a coma and died 5 months later.

Cook is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, October 10.

District Attorney Timothy Shugrue thanked everyone for their work on the case and while the guilty verdict may not bring back Charli Cook, justice has been served.

“Domestic violence is a devastating reality in the Berkshires. We must work together to proactively prevent domestic violence while supporting survivors and achieving justice for the abuse they have suffered,” he said in a statement.