Ep 31. The Troubling Case Against Kevin Cooper

In 1983, a horrific crime took place in Chino Hills, California. Douglas and Peggy Ryen, their 10-year-old daughter Jessica, and 11-year-old neighbor Christopher Hughes were all brutally murdered in their own home. A bloody footprint at the scene led investigators to Kevin Cooper, a convicted burglar who had escaped from a nearby prison. Cooper was arrested and stood trial for the murders, ultimately being sentenced to death.

However, over the years, doubts have been raised about Cooper's guilt. Several pieces of evidence have come to light that suggest Cooper may have been framed by law enforcement. In this episode of 48 Hours, correspondent Erin Moriarty speaks with those who have worked on Cooper's case over the years, including his current defense team and the 48 Hours team that covered his trial in the 1990s.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence that suggests Cooper may be innocent is a vial of blood that was found at the crime scene. It was discovered that this blood did not match any of the victims or Cooper. Instead, it belonged to a man who had been arrested for burglary in the area just a few weeks before the murders. The defense team believes that this man was the real killer, and that law enforcement planted evidence to frame Cooper.

There are other pieces of evidence that suggest that Cooper's trial was flawed. For example, the prosecution relied heavily on the testimony of a single surviving victim, 8-year-old Joshua Ryen, who suffered serious injuries but survived the attack. However, Joshua's testimony was inconsistent and sometimes contradictory. Furthermore, a woman who had been driving near the Ryen house on the night of the murder came forward years later to say that she saw three white men leaving the scene, which conflicts with the prosecution's theory that Cooper acted alone.

Despite these doubts and inconsistencies, Cooper remains on death row. The state of California has repeatedly denied his requests for DNA testing that could potentially exonerate him. Nevertheless, Cooper's defense team continues to fight for a new trial and for the truth to come to light.

Overall, this episode of 48 Hours raises important questions about the criminal justice system and the possibility of wrongful convictions. It is a thought-provoking exploration of a troubling case that deserves closer scrutiny.