Opinion ID: 4556238
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Second March 2, 2010 Interview

Text: Following the first interview on March 2, 2010, Cooper was transferred to the Farmington Hills Police Department, where at approximately 10:30 p.m. his second custodial interview began. The detectives started by asking if Cooper remembered the Miranda waiver form he had signed in Bay City, and advising him that it still covered their conversation. Cooper nodded affirmatively to both statements. (3/2/10 Tr., R. 5.18, Page ID 1032.) Then he was questioned, but he continued to deny shooting McKillop and reiterated the version of events that he had conveyed earlier in the day. Approximately one hour into the interview, Detective Wehby once more referenced the topic of DNA, telling Cooper, “[l]et’s get it out if we’ve go[t] to start giving explanations as to why those might be your hairs and those might be your DNA on the victim inside the house.” (Id., Page ID 1043.) Cooper pushed back against this line of questioning, though, and he continued to insist that he had not entered the house. (Id., Page ID 1044). Shifting tactics, Wehby then hypothesized that Cooper had been inside the house when someone else unexpectedly pulled a gun. Cooper shook his head no. (Id., Page ID 1047.) “Is that what happened?” Wehby asked. “No,” answered Cooper. The suspect stood up, but Detective Rzeppa quickly ordered him to sit back down. Cooper then asked to be taken back to his cell and said that he needed to use the restroom. Wehby responded that there was not a restroom nearby and that “[i]f you don’t wanna talk to us fine, we’re gonna stare at you all night.” Relenting, Cooper resumed discussion with the detectives. No. 18-1391 Cooper v. Chapman Page 8 Wehby now explained to Cooper that the evidence would look unfavorable at trial, unless “we get ahead of the curve, and we can admit[/]explain why your DNA or hair may possibly be on the victim or that cord then we can explain it.” (Id., Page ID 1049-50). Wehby suggested that Cooper could potentially be portrayed as the “fall guy,” who just happened to be at the scene of the crime when someone else shot McKillop. (Id., Page ID 1049-50). At that point, Cooper stated, “I have nothing further to say,” (id.), and when the detectives posed additional questions, he emphasized his refusal to speak more by thanking the detectives for their time and reiterating that he was “[n]ot talking anymore.” (Id., PageID 1051.) But, Wehby tried again to get Cooper to confess: “One more question, Wil[bern]. And we’ll go to your cell. Did you shoot and kill this guy?” Cooper replied, “no.” (Id., Page ID 1052). The interviewed ended at approximately 11:53 p.m. (Id.) At no point during the entire interview did Cooper invoke his right to counsel.