Talk:Kevin Cooper (inmate)

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Imbalanced viewpoints? The sole focus of this article seems to be the evidence that the man is potentially innocent, without mention of any evidence brought against him. GeeJo 01:32, 16 Jun 2005 (UTC) (ADDENDUM: This comment referred to the May 28th, 2005 version of this article.) GeeJo _{(t) (c)} • 02:49, 5 February 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, this article needs fleshing out. Roland Deschain 03:11, 12 October 2005 (UTC)

I don't know if you guys are talking about an earlier version of this article, but as it stands now my take is quite the opposite. All the specific facts in it are the ones that suggest his guilt. What was the basis of his conviction being postponed at the last minute -- something I believe is quite rare? Catsv 00:59, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

Looking through the history, I find it bizarre that all the information about Cooper's potential innocence has been removed, with very little discussion here (there are some comments about there being too much about his innocence, but in the section below it seems that the statement from Joshua Ryen was added; I agree that that gives the article a 'guilty' slant). I'm going to put that info back in. In combination with the statement of Josh Ryen I think that makes a balanced article, but of course others are welcome to add other evidence of Cooper's guilt. Catsv 03:58, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

This article has a POV that he is guilty. There is a summary section which is fine, withstanding the line that "The results of those DNA tests and their significance are disputed." with only a link to a 'nodeathpenalty.org' hardly a non-parisan site. Secondly, there is a "disputed guilt" section, but there is section no presentation of evidence of guilt. Besides the first hand account (which is also disputed), the entire article is devoted to convincing the reader that there is substantial doubt. Barneygumble 22:20, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

Contents 1 Sole Purpose? 2 DNA evidence 3 Jury Composition? 4 This article should include the evidence used against him 5 Fair use rationale for Image:KevinCooper Mugshot.jpg

[edit] Sole Purpose?

I disagree with the suggestion that this article primarily portrays Cooper as potentially innocent. I'd say the first hand account of survivor Joshua Ryen (in bold print) is pretty conclusively suggesting that the man is anything but innocent.

I agree, I also interpreted the article as framing Cooper as guilty. The inclusion of evidence in the case would be helpful.

Just as a note, that first hand account wasnt on the article when I made the comment. I'd agree it presents its case a bit more thoroughly now :) GeeJo _{(t) (c)} • 23:45, 10 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] DNA evidence

I changed the part about the DNA evidence to say it is disputed rather than that it supports his guilt, because in fact it is in dispute. I added a citation to a page that disputes that the evidence implicates Cooper. I know the article previously said the evidence did suggest his guilt, so it would be good to cite a source for that claim as well. Catsv 01:44, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

I'll be honest- I don't know how much I want to trust "nodeathpenalty.org". Doesn't sound very neutral to me. -RomeW

It's not neutral, it's the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, which was heavily involved in defending Cooper. But the information they provide is quite detailed. Taking their non-neutrality into consideration, I still find it significant, at least without a similarly detailed refutation. Catsv 02:06, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

I agree with RomeW. Barneygumble 22:16, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Jury Composition?

Since the comment about the jury being "all-white" was removed, I think it's prudent to ask what the makeup of the jury was. If it was indeed all-white then that must be noted, since it would be an important part of Cooper's defence. -RomeW

All reports I have seen indicate that it was indeed all-white.Catsv 06:28, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] This article should include the evidence used against him

There was plenty of it.

Cooper admitted to hiding out in a vacant house next door to the Ryens. At the vacant house, a blood-stained khaki green button identical to the buttons on field jackets issued at the state prison from which Cooper escaped was found on the rug. Tests revealed the presence of blood in the shower and bathroom sink of the vacant home, and hair found in the bathroom sink was consistent with that of Jessica and Doug Ryen. A bloodstained rope in the house bedroom was similar to a bloodstained rope found on the Ryens' driveway. A hatchet covered with dried blood and human hair that was found near the Ryens' home was missing from the vacant house, and the sheath for the hatchet was found in the bedroom where Cooper stayed. Buck knives and at least one ice pick were also missing from the vacant home, though a strap from one buck knife was found on the floor. Blood found in the Ryens' home was the victims', except for one drop on a wall near where the murders occurred. It belonged to an African-American male, which Cooper is. Two partial shoe prints and one nearly complete shoe print found in the Ryens' house were consistent both with Cooper's size and the Pro Ked shoes issued at CIM. The Ryens' vehicle, which had been parked outside their house, was missing when the bodies were discovered but was later found in Long Beach. A hand-rolled cigarette butt and "Role-Rite" tobacco that is provided to inmates at CIM (but not sold at retail) was in the car. Similar loose leaf tobacco was found in the bedroom of the house where Cooper had stayed. A witness testified that Cooper smoked handrolled cigarettes using Role-Rite tobacco. A hair fragment discovered in the car was consistent with Cooper's pubic hair and a spot of blood found in the car could have come from one of the victims but not from Cooper.

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:KevinCooper Mugshot.jpg

Image:KevinCooper Mugshot.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 14:25, 2 January 2008 (UTC)