Rodney Square killer found guilty but mentally ill

     Calvin Hooker found guilty but mentally ill in fatal stabbing of Thomas Cottingham (Mugshot courtesy of WPD; John Jankowski/for NewsWorks)

    Calvin Hooker found guilty but mentally ill in fatal stabbing of Thomas Cottingham (Mugshot courtesy of WPD; John Jankowski/for NewsWorks)

    A Wilmington man was found guilty but mentally ill after stabbing a Good Samaritan to death in Rodney Square two years ago. 

    A Superior Court jury convicted Calvin Hooker, 26, on charges of Murder Second Degree, Aggravated Menacing and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Hooker killed 27-year-old Thomas Cottingham in September 2015.

    At the time, Hooker was waving a knife and chasing a woman pushing her 6-month-old baby in a stroller. Cottingham stepped in and was trying to protect the mother and her baby when he was stabbed.

    Hooker was also found guilty on other charges including possession of a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.  He faces 21 years to life in prison when sentenced later this year.

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