Murder defendant changes mind, pleads guilty
As prosecutors began calling witnesses to testify against him, Richard Cooper -- being tried for the murder of an associate in Fulton County Superior Court -- abruptly decided to change his not guilty plea.
Cooper, 25, plead guilty Thursday to murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the Fulton County District Attorney's office said. Cooper was charged in the shooting death of Frederick Weems, 35.
Witnesses say Weems was gunned down in June 2008 as he walked near the driveway of an abandoned home in the 200 block of Clarke Street in Atlanta. Cooper, armed with two semi-automatic weapons, shot Weems seven times in the head, chest and back.
Cooper fled the scene and was eventually captured in Tacoma at his brother's house. According to the Fulton D.A., Cooper admitted shooting Weems after a dispute over money.
Following his guilty plea, Cooper was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
