ALDEN – Investigators with the Federal Crimes Investigation service have confirmed that 24-year-old Mavis Lee Young, a registered Republican was arrested and has been linked to the assassination of former Mesa State Representative Joseph Cooke on August 2.

Federal Crimes Investigation Service leader investigator on the case Daniel Harpinger said that Young was witnessed to have entered the apartment just an hour before the gunshot were heart. Camera footage was provided by Ring from an adjacent apartment building revealed that Mavis entered the apartment before a flash, likely the muzzle flash, and he ran out of the apartment closing the door behind him.

“This animal entered Joseph’s house, shot him six times, and left him for dead. He died on the floor,” said FCIS Director Lorenzo Marley. “Mavis Lee Young will face federal criminal charges and we are pushing for his execution. We know that Attorney General Bradley Vance will make the right call and work to get him executed, like he did the Joseph.”

Attorneys for Young said that they believe the case was mishandled and said they would be fighting the charges in court citing a “lack of basic foundational evidence,” with investigators scoffing at his lawyer’s position.

“The investigators in the case most definitely have foundation and have video evidence that shows the suspect entering the apartment,” said FCIS director Lorenzo Marley. “We also collected gun residue from his fingernails after obtaining a body search warrant. This residue matches the residue found at the scene. We also matched up firearm registration with the firearm found on Mr. Young. The casings and bullets recovered matched perfectly with the casings and bullet recovered from the crime scene. It’s a pretty open and shut case.”

Federal Alden Prosecutors are likely expected to push for the death penalty given the severity of the crime and Joseph Cooke’s status as a government official. Prosecutors who were appointed by President John McCallum say that Joseph Cooke’s assassination was brutal and the worst they have every seen.

“This case of murder is the worst I’ve ever seen in my four years as Alden’s Prosecutor and I’ve seen some extremely bad cases,” said Federal Prosecutor Mark Tomlinson. “He was executed and there is no other way to explain it. I’ve seen the crime scene photos and all I can say is this case is worthy of the death penalty.”

Senator Thomas Cooke says he will be in court during Young’s trial as he works to support his brother and family during the trial. He says the death of Joseph has affected him in ways “that are unhuman.”