In the quiet evening of October 14, 1985, in Glynn County, Georgia, the life of Auzzie Douglas Sr., a 55-year-old disabled African American man, was tragically cut short. Earlier that evening, he had visited with his son, Auzzie Jr., who lived nearby. Shortly before 8:00 p.m., he returned to his own home. What transpired next was a brutal act of violence that would forever alter the lives of his family.
His wife, Ruby Douglas, arrived home from work soon after her husband. As she approached her front door, she witnessed a young man fleeing the residence. Upon entering, she was met with a horrific scene: her husband was lying on the living room floor, bleeding from his ear. It was later determined that Auzzie Douglas Sr. had been shot in the head, just behind his left ear, and in the chest. He also had an additional gunshot wound on the web of his left hand.
The investigation into the murder swiftly led authorities to a suspect: Michael Anthony Cohen. Investigators discovered Cohen's fingerprints on a window screen where he had gained entry into the Douglas home. Further evidence tying him to the crime included a watch belonging to the victim that was found in Cohen's possession and a pistol he had sold for $10 that same evening. Ballistics testing confirmed that this pistol was the weapon used to murder Auzzie Douglas Sr.
Michael Anthony Cohen was subsequently arrested and, following a trial, was convicted by a Glynn County jury of malice murder, burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The evidence presented at trial painted a clear picture of the events that led to the senseless killing. The jury recommended the death penalty, and on December 23, 1986, Cohen was sentenced to death. Over the years, his case went through numerous appeals, but his conviction and death sentence were ultimately upheld.
