Michael Lee Cooper Pleads Guilty to Multiple Charges; Avoids Trial
Michael Lee Cooper of 6684 Tyler Highway in Sistersville was scheduled to stand trial in the Tyler County Circuit Court on Wednesday, September 11. His case was to be heard in front of the Honorable Judge Jeffery Cramer.
Cooper faces several felony charges including two counts of threats of terrorist acts, arson in the fourth degree, and two counts of attempted murder. He was also charged with one misdemeanor offense of cruelty to animals.
Those traveling Route 18 may have taken notice of the trailer sitting to the side of the road near the 180 intersection that looks as if it had fallen victim to a fire. On December 25, 2018, Cooper allegedly filled the previously mentioned trailer with propane and attempted to lure several officers into the trailer, stating that he was going to blow it up. He reportedly made many threats to the lives of the officers. A decision to shut down Route 18 near the area was made in an effort to protect the public.
The officers gained phone contact with Cooper from outside the trailer and it was said that Cooper had agreed to come out of the residence. It was during this phone conversation that Cooper had attempted to light a cigarrette, resulting in an explosion and setting the trailer on fire. Cooper then reportedly fell from the bathroom window, where he was then drug to safety, and flown to Pittsburgh to recieve medical attention for the burns he suffered from.
Cooper appeared before Judge Cramer on September 3 for a possible entry of a plea, however Cooper failed plea on that date.
As the jury pool poured into the courtroom on Wednesday morning, Cooper was seen walking to and from the Chambers where his attorney, the state’s attorney, the Judge, and several officers were seated. The Honorable Judge Cramer emerged from the Chambers and told the Jury that there would no longer be a trial that day. He reported that Cooper had plead guilty to each offense of the indictment, including counts five and six – attempted murder in the second degree.
Cooper will be sentenced in due time, following a presentence investigation report.
Michael Lee Cooper Pleads Guilty to Multiple Charges; Avoids Trial
Michael Lee Cooper of 6684 Tyler Highway in Sistersville was scheduled to stand trial in the Tyler County Circuit Court on Wednesday, September 11. His case was to be heard in front of the Honorable Judge Jeffery Cramer.
Cooper faces several felony charges including two counts of threats of terrorist acts, arson in the fourth degree, and two counts of attempted murder. He was also charged with one misdemeanor offense of cruelty to animals.
Those traveling Route 18 may have taken notice of the trailer sitting to the side of the road near the 180 intersection that looks as if it had fallen victim to a fire. On December 25, 2018, Cooper allegedly filled the previously mentioned trailer with propane and attempted to lure several officers into the trailer, stating that he was going to blow it up. He reportedly made many threats to the lives of the officers. A decision to shut down Route 18 near the area was made in an effort to protect the public.
The officers gained phone contact with Cooper from outside the trailer and it was said that Cooper had agreed to come out of the residence. It was during this phone conversation that Cooper had attempted to light a cigarrette, resulting in an explosion and setting the trailer on fire. Cooper then reportedly fell from the bathroom window, where he was then drug to safety, and flown to Pittsburgh to recieve medical attention for the burns he suffered from.
Cooper appeared before Judge Cramer on September 3 for a possible entry of a plea, however Cooper failed plea on that date.
As the jury pool poured into the courtroom on Wednesday morning, Cooper was seen walking to and from the Chambers where his attorney, the state’s attorney, the Judge, and several officers were seated. The Honorable Judge Cramer emerged from the Chambers and told the Jury that there would no longer be a trial that day. He reported that Cooper had plead guilty to each offense of the indictment, including counts five and six – attempted murder in the second degree.
Cooper will be sentenced in due time, following a presentence investigation report.
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