Cooper meets with Inglesby and tells him the story of Naomi’s death, still claiming not to remember much of anything, other than he believes his business partner and friend, Justin King, was at his house prior to him passing out.
“You say that Justin denies being at your house?” asks Inglesby.
“Yes, he claims I have the day mixed up, that it was Tuesday night when he was there.”
“And why are you so sure it was Wednesday night?”
“Because it was the night Naomi had her book club. That’s where she was when Justin came over,” insists Cooper.
“What is the last thing you remember before passing out?”
“As I can recall, Justin made us some drinks of rum and coke. We were chatting and drinking, and then, I don’t really know what happened, but apparently I passed out. The next thing I knew, it was morning, and I woke up feeling awful. It took me a few moments to not feel faint. That’s when I found Naomi on the floor.”
“Do you often drink and pass out?”
“No, I can’t remember the last time I got drunk.”
“The police theory will probably be that you shot Naomi, then continued to drink until you passed out.”
“No, I did not shoot Naomi.”
“Okay, let’s wait until we hear what evidence the police actually have. I’m sure they are processing evidence as we speak. In the meantime, do not answer any more questions from the police without my presence. Not on the phone or in person, you got that?”
“Yeah, I got it. Thank you.”
Late that afternoon, Tippen obtains additional testing results back from the lab while Masters and another detective are out interviewing the neighbors on Sandy Lane. She is anxious to share them with Masters. Based on the testing results:
Ryan Cooper’s fingerprints were found on the drink glass retrieved from the round table next to the recliner. A small unidentified print was found on the bottom of the same glass. The liquid in the glass was determined to be rum.
Ryan Cooper’s fingerprints were found all over the half-empty bottle of rum, also retrieved from the round table.
The letter to Ryan from Naomi had no fingerprints or smudges on it.
Ryan Cooper’s fingerprints were found on the revolver.
Ryan Cooper’s blood test showed a small amount of alcohol and no drugs.
No fingerprints were found on the round table or coffee table.
A small amount of Naomi Cooper’s blood was found on the left sleeve of Ryan Cooper’s shirt.
No gunshot residue was found on Cooper’s clothing.
About an hour later, Masters returns to the office. He tells Tippen they were unable to get any information from any of the neighbors. No one saw or heard anything that night. No one saw any cars parked in the driveway or in front of Cooper’s home.
“Well,” says Tippen, “I’ve got some good news. Take a look at these results.”
Masters quickly reads over the findings. “This is fantastic. If the ballistics tell us the bullets came from Cooper’s gun, we have a pretty solid case.”
“Yes we do,” says an excited Tippen.
Tuesday
By mid-morning the next day, Tippen had completed the affidavit for an arrest warrant and is with Assistant County DA Jean Simmons. Simmons has just finished reading the affidavit.
“What do you think?” asks Tippen.
“Oh, this is plenty of probable cause for an arrest,” replies Simmons. “This looks like a solid case for first-degree murder. No sign of a fight before she was shot?”
“No,” advises Tippen, “it looked as though she had just gotten home. Her purse was on the kitchen table, she was dressed in the same clothes she had on at book club, and the time of death was estimated to be between eight and eleven the night before. However, we know she couldn’t have arrived home much before nine, so that narrows it down even more. It’s all in the affidavit.”
“Yeah, but he may try to claim heat of the moment type thing, or that she attacked him first,” says Simmons.”
“He may,” responds Tippen, “but as of right now we have no evidence of that. He has already claimed to not remember anything.”
Simmons signs off on the affidavit. Tippen takes the affidavit to one of the District Judges. After reading the affidavit, the Judge agrees there is probable cause to arrest for First Degree Homicide and signs the warrant for the arrest of Ryan Cooper.
That afternoon, Masters and Tippen, accompanied by two patrol officers, arrive at the home of Ryan Cooper. Masters knocks on the front door. Initially, there is no answer. Masters knocks again, louder this time. Five seconds later, Cooper opens the door. He is wearing blue jeans and a Bronco’s t-shirt. It appears as though he hasn’t shaved in a couple of days.
“Yes detectives, what is it?” he asks.
“Mr. Cooper,” announces Masters, “we have a warrant for your arrest on charges of First Degree Murder and Felony Domestic Violence. We are placing you under arrest. Please turn around and place your hands on top of your head.”
“What?!” exclaims Cooper, “I did not kill my wife!”
“Just turn around Mr. Cooper, right now we have a warrant. Let’s make this easy.”
In frustration, Cooper turns around and places his hands on top of his head. “Someone came in my house and killed Naomi while I was passed out,” says Cooper in a loud voice.
“Right now is not the time to debate it,” says Masters, as one of the patrol officers pats Cooper down for any weapons, then handcuffs his hands behind his back. “We can talk about it some more at the station.”
At the station, Cooper is escorted to the detective bureau and placed in one of the sparsely furnished interview rooms. Masters sits down across from Cooper while Tippen walks behind him and uncuffs his hands. She then joins Masters in sitting across from Cooper.
“We have some more questions to ask you,” says Masters.
“I’m not going to talk without my attorney,” insists Cooper.
“So, the man who didn’t shoot his wife wants an attorney now, eh?” retorts Masters. “Who is your attorney?”
“Chris
