GA - Suspicion over heat death of Cooper, 22 mo., Cobb County, June 2014, #8

[popsicle]

In my wildest dreams I didn't imagine anything like the stuff that came out at that hearing. I didn't think it was possible to be so shocked.

Same here. I gasped a couple times.

 

[RainCheck]

Does anyone feel like you've never seen a case where so much damning evidence was presented at the preliminary hearing? I can not remember another case where I was shaking I was so upset by all the evidence presented at this stage! He really should take a plea IMO!

 

[Tulessa]

In my wildest dreams I didn't imagine anything like the stuff that came out at that hearing. I didn't think it was possible to be so shocked.

Nor me! I'm sitting here in tears. I am beyond disbelief.

 

[Judicious1]

Who called the Judge a SOB? Ross's mom, or Cooper's mom??? TIA!

Wait what??!!

 

[Tiki]

Bringing this over from the hearing thread.

BBM

Exactly - how did she know?

Why would her mind have instantly gone to that scenario, unless RH had done that in the past, or unless there's more to this than meets the eye.

Keep digging, CCPD - keep digging!

If she had even a hint of that, how does she let him drive Cooper to daycare or anywhere...makes me suspicious of her.

 

[lawstudent]

I don't think the mother conspired for money, per se. I think it was along the lines of her being convinced by her lower-than-a-snake's-belly spouse that all his vices and all their woes would go away if that pesky ole child wasn't in the way and then they could live happily ever after so play along dear wife, and we'll live worry-free because poor little Cooper will be better off out of this cruel world anyway, see? We are really doing him a favor, see? Barf my guts out. And throw her under the jail right alongside this so-called man.

Agreed that is a possibility, but I think when people do it to simply get rid of a child like nothing happened, like with Casey Anthony, they attempt to minimize the suffering. While I don't actually get the mindset, obviously, I do understand how it can seem easier for someone to just be gone, even someone you love, if you feel trapped or struggle with mental illness. I think people who kill spouses/ex-spouses most frequently have this mindset. But wanting someone to disappear and choosing to do it in a painful way and then doing it to someone you are close enough to that you have to sit their and feign devastation to other relatives are different things. That makes it too real. You see how many people will say "make it quick, don't hurt him/her" when hiring a hitman. Most people wouldn't let someone die in a hot car like that - even someone they wanted dead. That's why I can't accept that the mom just wanted to preserve the status quo - she wanted it done that way because it was the best way at having it look like an accident, most likely. Part of that is self-preservation, but being talked into that is crazy to me. But people are insane, so who knows. Women who do that sort of thing to keep a man who shows total disrespect to them are the definition of mentally ill people to me, but that doesn't mean they are any less dangerous or culpable than their crazy partners. It's scary how many women can be so passive.

I also feel a need to point out that defense attorneys have certain rules they have to follow, but it's silly to think they all believe their clients or even want them to get off, let alone think they can win. It depends on the case and attorney, obviously, but I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking the defense attorney really wants to "help" this guy. At this point, he's probably realized his role is going to be to cut the best possible plea, and is just saying what he needs to say until it reaches that point. Defense attorneys like to win, but I think most of them recognize when they can't and when the person absolutely belongs in prison. Of course he's going to question the state's evidence where possible because that is how attorneys think - they point out inconsistencies because accepting every thing that is said because the guy looks like a monster is definitely not the right thing to do. Even where something appears all settled, you should always make sure the truth is discovered as to each fact, not just to the whole.

 

[RR0004]

Did they establish that both parents had a life insurance policy on the child?

 

[tlcya]

that was emotionally draining. I am still processing what all we learned and LE is said to have much much more.

What we learned today:

Carseat was forward facing til about two weeks prior to C's death

Sexting multiple women for the past year and on the day of Cooper's murder (yep, calling it that)

minor and possible future charges for computer crimes re their contact and misdemeanor crime of actual contact in some way.

pics of penis taken and sent while C in room with him

minor asked him if he ever was troubled by his conscious - reply NOPE

Computer searches regarding statutes and age of consent

R viewed a video twice of vet climbing in hot car and demonstrating what it is like for a hot animal in car. Vet filmed himself in the vehicle for approx half an hour describing in detail what it felt like to sit there cooking

the trip to publix with friends/coworkers for lunch punctuated by trip to home depot store across way for lightbulbs at R request

visit to car after returning from lunch was ostensibly to put purchase in car

subreddit - child free life

life insurance policy $25,000 (adtl to one via work)

During interview with LE RH used a lot of cop lingo and told LE he was a former jailer then told them he was former dispatch

When told he was being arrested he told LE "but there was no malice or aforethought" (paraphrased)

While in room alone RH was described as pacing and trying to "work himself up" to the point of hyperventilation. LE viewed it as him attempting to feign or produce emotion where there was none genuinely

LH and RH in interview room alone while being recorded and videotaped:

LH asks if he said too much or something similar

RH told LH C looked peaceful in death with eyes and mouth closed. RH tells LH about "dreading" looking at C worried what he might look like but he looked peaceful

RH makes poor me comments "going to lose my job - why do I have to be punished??" etc (paraphrased)

Stoddard described C as mouth open tongue protruding, eyes half closed, horrible and noticeable odor of decomp in vehicle even hours later while performing search warrant.

at least one affair for RH in the past

an unexplained 6 minute call from RH to daycare LE feel he actually spoke to someone during that call as the daycare msg system is not equipped to take 6 minute long messages.

 

[Tulessa]

I don't know what all the dad was up to. I wonder how much Cooper was able to talk and if that could have been part of it along with the insurance $.

There'll be NO insurance now, thank God! Or will the wife collect? Gag.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Agreed that is a possibility, but I think when people do it to simply get rid of a child like nothing happened, like with Casey Anthony, they attempt to minimize the suffering. While I don't actually get the mindset, obviously, I do understand how it can seem easier for someone to just be gone, even someone you love, if you feel trapped or struggle with mental illness. I think people who kill spouses/ex-spouses most frequently have this mindset. But wanting someone to disappear and choosing to do it in a painful way and then doing it to someone you are close enough to that you have to sit their and feign devastation to other relatives are different things. That makes it too real. You see how many people will say "make it quick, don't hurt him/her" when hiring a hitman. Most people wouldn't let someone die in a hot car like that - even someone they wanted dead. That's why I can't accept that the mom just wanted to preserve the status quo - she wanted it done that way because it was the best way at having it look like an accident, most likely. Part of that is self-preservation, but being talked into that is crazy to me. But people are insane, so who knows. Women who do that sort of thing to keep a man who shows total disrespect to them are the definition of mentally ill people to me, but that doesn't mean they are any less dangerous or culpable than their crazy partners. It's scary how many women can be so passive.



I also feel a need to point out that defense attorneys have certain rules they have to follow, but it's silly to think they all believe their clients or even want them to get off, let alone think they can win. It depends on the case and attorney, obviously, but I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking the defense attorney really wants to "help" this guy. At this point, he's probably realized his role is going to be to cut the best possible plea, and is just saying what he needs to say until it reaches that point. Defense attorneys like to win, but I think most of them recognize when they can't and when the person absolutely belongs in prison. Of course he's going to question the state's evidence where possible because that is how attorneys think - they point out inconsistencies because accepting every thing that is said because the guy looks like a monster is definitely not the right thing to do. Even where something appears all settled, you should always make sure the truth is discovered as to each fact, not just to the whole.

It was the easiest way for him.
He didn't have to watch.

Thought he would get sympathy for a horrible accident.
IMO


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[octobermoon]

Bringing this over from the hearing thread.

BBM

Exactly - how did she know?

Why would her mind have instantly gone to that scenario, unless RH had done that in the past, or unless there's more to this than meets the eye.

With everything we learned today from the hearing testimony regarding LH's actions/reactions, I'm viewing the mother's behavior with suspicion, as I'm sure LE has been during their investigation.

Keep digging, CCPD - keep digging!

BBM I say arrest her now. imo

 

[marlap]

Did they establish that both parents had a life insurance policy on the child?

Yes, they had two. A $2,000 one with Home Depot, and a separate $25,000 one.

 

[gngr~snap]

Wait what??!!

The reporter made it sound like Ross' mom said it, then she fell apart. The whole family did. I think it hit her right then.
moo

 

[craftybatchy]

Sounds like she knew he had cheated in the past. Sounds like she forgives quite a lot

Maybe it isn't forgiveness so much as it is a reverse sort of cuckoldry ? I think those circles refer to those types of relationships as 'cuckquean'. It would, IMO, be more socially acceptable within her religious community to openly forgive her husband for perceived infidelity rather than condone and participate as a 'cuckquean'.

 

[popsicle]

I remember thinking... I wonder if Cooper was talking to his dad during the drive and as he opened the door to leave and then shut it on him forever.

 

[DeDee]

Who called the Judge a SOB? Ross's mom, or Cooper's mom??? TIA!

HLN's female reporter was inside the courtroom and followed the family out. She told about the mom being helped to walk by two of her friends who sat on either side of her during the court hearing. The reporter said the mom held a finger between her eyes as she stepped into the elevator. I assume kinda wobbly.

My understanding then the reporter heard her, the mom, say, the judge was SOB for denying bond.

 

[RR0004]

Nor me! I'm sitting here in tears. I am beyond disbelief.

I can't let my mind go to thinking that this was some sort of conspiracy, but I'm afraid that's exactly where LE is going.

 

[RainCheck]

Did they establish that both parents had a life insurance policy on the child?

Yes, they had two.

 

[mrsu]

Just seeing the new info/news now. What a disgusting ! I don't understand why these people just don't get a divorce and move on. Makes me so angry.

I'm not caught all the way up. Did the wife have a reaction to the sexting? Or she was aware of it?

 

[MsMarple]

I'm speechless. He's a monster. And, sidenote: Surviving prison can't be Googled, Ross. Trust me, you won't make it.

Eta: It came out in hearing that Ross had, among other repulsive things, Googled how to survive prison.

And he sexted teenagers. Puke.

Via Kindle, like a true Amazon junkie

Yeah, when I saw that I wondered if he was looking for an ex-con hit man to take care of Cooper. I just can't see Ross anticipating getting caught at his crime.

ETA to add: the surviving prison stuff came from a sub-reddit discussion.