Ep 5. Kevin Cooper

In season 2 episode 5 of Death Row Stories, we explore the case of Kevin Cooper, a man convicted of murdering an entire family in Chino Hills, California in 1983. Cooper has maintained his innocence for over three decades and this episode delves into the evidence presented in his trial, the subsequent appeals and the lingering questions surrounding his conviction.

The episode begins by introducing Kevin Cooper, a young African American man who grew up in poverty and was repeatedly in trouble with the law. In 1983, he was serving time in a nearby prison for burglary when he escaped and ended up in Chino Hills. A few days later, the Ryen family and their house guest were brutally murdered in their home. The police quickly honed in on Cooper as their primary suspect and he was apprehended soon after.

At his trial, the prosecution presented a case that relied heavily on physical evidence. They claimed that Cooper's blood was found on the victims' belongings, in the driveway of the house and even on the weapon they believed was used in the murders. They also argued that Cooper's shoe prints were found at the scene of the crime.

Despite the circumstantial nature of this evidence, a jury convicted Cooper of all charges and he was sentenced to death. However, over the years, doubts have been raised about the veracity of the evidence presented in his trial.

This episode delves into the evidence presented against Cooper and the numerous appeals his lawyers have filed over the years. We see interviews with lawyers on both sides of the case, as well as with eyewitnesses who testified at the trial. We also hear from members of the victims' families who believe in Cooper's guilt, and those who maintain his innocence.

One major point of contention throughout the trial and appeals process has been the blood evidence. Cooper's defense team has long claimed that the blood samples taken from the crime scene were mishandled and possibly even tampered with. They point to inconsistencies in the testing procedures, such as the use of untested samples and the fact that the tests used to identify the blood were not as reliable as they are today. We hear from experts in the field who explain the nuances of blood evidence and how it can be misinterpreted.

Another major issue in the case has been the shoe print evidence. Cooper's defense team has argued that the shoe prints found at the scene do not match the shoes Cooper was wearing at the time of his arrest. They claim that the prints were actually left by law enforcement who were at the scene after the murders had been discovered. We see footage of the shoe prints and hear from experts who have examined them in detail.

Throughout the episode, we are left questioning whether Cooper is truly guilty or if he has been wrongly convicted. We see the impact that the case has had on Cooper's life, as well as on the lives of the victims' families. Ultimately, the episode raises important questions about the justice system and the reliability of forensic evidence.

Overall, season 2 episode 5 of Death Row Stories provides a thorough and thought-provoking look into the case of Kevin Cooper. It allows viewers to consider the evidence presented in his trial and the numerous appeals that have followed, and ultimately decide for themselves whether or not justice was served.