On a summer evening in Hannibal, Missouri, the life of 45-year-old Billy Williams was tragically cut short. On June 4, 2020, police responded to a report of a shooting in the 2100 block of Gordon Street. Upon arrival, they found Williams suffering from a gunshot wound. He was quickly transported to Hannibal Regional Hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
The incident that unfolded at a residence on Gordon Street marked the beginning of a search for a man who would soon be identified as the primary suspect.
In the days following the shooting, the Hannibal Police Department identified 26-year-old Corey Cobb as the individual they believed was responsible for Williams' death. A warrant was promptly issued for Cobb's arrest, charging him with second-degree murder. The search for Cobb extended beyond Hannibal, and he was eventually located and apprehended by U.S. Marshals in the St. Louis area just a couple of days after the fatal shooting. He was then extradited back to Marion County to face the charges against him and was held on a one-million-dollar cash-only bond.
The legal process for Corey Cobb saw a series of developments. After being returned to Marion County, he made his initial court appearance and the case began to move through the judicial system. At his arraignment, Cobb pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder. As the case progressed towards a trial, a motion was filed by his defense for a mental fitness exam, which led to a delay in the proceedings. Court records indicated that Cobb had become agitated during a hearing, prompting the request for the evaluation.
Ultimately, the case did not go to trial. In a settlement with prosecutors, Corey Cobb pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. As part of the plea agreement, additional charges of armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a weapon, and evidence tampering were dropped. The initial charge of second-degree murder had also been dismissed by the prosecuting attorney earlier in the year. In addition to the manslaughter charge, Cobb also pleaded guilty to a count of drug possession in a prison. As a result of his guilty pleas, Corey Cobb was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison for his role in the death of Billy Williams.
