Opinion ID: 4556238
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: March 3, 2010 Interview

Text: At around 9 a.m. the next day, March 3, 2010, Cooper met with the detectives for his third custodial interview. (3/3/10 Tr. R. 1.6, Page ID 205, 205-07). Wehby again showed Cooper the Miranda form he had signed the previous day and asked if he remembered it. (Id.) Cooper responded affirmatively, and the detective said the form was “still in effect.” (Id.)3 Wehby then pivoted to the main objective of the conversation: the investigators wanted to get Cooper’s “story” a third time “to make sure that we got your story that you’re sticking with. . . . OK? We want to make sure that we got, we got it down right. That we don’t make any mistakes on your part . . . on your part or our part. Ok?” To this, Cooper replied: “Alright.” (3/3/10 Tr., R. 1.6, Page ID 205-06). Then, after some small talk about the quality of the police department food, Cooper abruptly stated: “Alright, I guess I’m gonna try this.” (Id., Page ID 207.) At that point, he proceeded to discuss the McKillop murder with the detectives. As Cooper launched into details of the story, he initially remained consistent in his explanation that he had stood on the front porch throughout the entirety of the shooting. (Id., 3During trial, the prosecutor emphasized that the video footage from the third custodial interview reflects that Cooper looked at the form and nodded. (See Pros. Br., R. 5.19, Page ID 1214.) No. 18-1391 Cooper v. Chapman Page 9 Page ID 212.) But then, Wehby interrupted Cooper to explain the plausibility problems with that story. To this, Cooper replied: “I think I’m done talking at this time. I’ve got a lot to think about. I’ve gotta use the bathroom.” ((Id., Page ID 228.) Wehby responded, “that’s fine and I understand that,” though he reminded Cooper that his arraignment was in three hours. (Id.). Thereafter, the detectives asked Cooper what he wanted to do. (Id.) Cooper responded simply that he did not wish to “sit the rest of life in prison for something I didn’t do.” (Id.) The conversation then took another shift, with discussion of Cooper’s challenging upbringing and life circumstances, as well as the pain McKillop’s family must have felt during the years when the investigation went cold. (Id., Page ID 228-32). Cooper acknowledged this pain and lamented the situation. (Id., Page ID 232). The discussion continued for a bit more, followed by a restroom break. (Id., Page ID 236). After questioning resumed the detectives told Cooper he could help himself and the victim’s family by disclosing more about the crime. Cooper responded with, “I’m not saying anything,” and “I’m not saying any more.” (Id., Page ID 245-48, 250.) But Wehby persisted, asking Cooper if he “want[ed] to talk about this anymore?” Cooper answered, “Not right now.” (Id., Page ID 245.) Wehby then reminded Cooper that time was running out, to which Cooper responded, “Yeah.” (Id.) The questioning continued, with Cooper offering more answers to the officers. (See id., Page ID 245-47.) However, when discussion veered back towards the events that took place on the night of McKillop’s murder, Cooper again said, “I’m not saying anything.” (Id., Page ID 247-48). Yet the meeting continued. Eventually Cooper admitted that he had witnessed McKillop’s murder and that he knew who had tied him up and shot him, but denied that he was the one who had done it. (Id., Page ID 248.) When asked who the murderer was, however, Cooper dodged the question, declaring: “I’m not saying no more.” (Id., Page ID 248, 250, 254.) Upon further discussion, Cooper suddenly appeared as if he had had enough of the interrogation. He accused the detectives of having already concluded that he was the murderer. (Id., Page ID 258, 261). At that point, he made a number of declarations indicative of his desire to be arraigned. (Id., Page ID 258, 261). No. 18-1391 Cooper v. Chapman Page 10 The questioning, however, still did not stop. Finally, Cooper admitted that he had, in fact, entered Jenkins’ home on the night of the murder. Once he did, as Cooper further explained, he had thrown an extension cord to Mark Bollis in order to tie up McKillop. Together, he and Bollis forced McKillop to the floor, where Dennis McKiddie shot McKillop in the head. (AT Br., R. 9, Page ID 20; 5/6/11 TR., p. 44-48.)