Clear and Convincing - California v. Kevin Cooper

People v. Kevin Cooper (Part 1 - 1983 to 2001)

On June 2, 1983, Kevin Cooper escaped from the Chino Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, California.  Cooper, who had a long history of escape from prison facilities and mental hospitals, was using the alias “David Trautman” and prison officials were unaware of his true identity.  While hiding in a vacant house in the Chino Hills area, Cooper tried and failed to get money from two girlfriends so that he could leave the area.  During the night of June 4, or early on the morning of June 5, Cooper entered the home of Doug and Peggy Ryen through a sliding door leading into the master bedroom.  By the time Cooper left the Ryen house, Doug, Peggy, their daughter Jessica and family friend Christopher Hughes were dead.  Josh Ryen, the Ryens’ 8-year old son, was the only survivor.  Cooper stole the Ryen family’s station wagon and made his way to Long Beach, California, where he abandoned the car and headed to Tijuana, Mexico.  Cooper, using the alias “Angel Jackson,” got a job on a boat and returned to California.  On July 30, 1983, while in Santa Barbara, California, Cooper raped a 26-year old woman at knifepoint and attempted yet another escape when authorities tried to arrest him. Authorities in Santa Barbara soon discovered his true identity and he was returned to San Bernardino County, California to face charges related to the Ryen murders and his escape from CIM.   Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan for a discussion of the evidence against Cooper, his claims of evidence manipulation and tampering and initial request for DNA testing. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.