Karina Sue Cooper reacts as a guilty verdict is read during her first-degree murder trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, July 11, 2025. Cooper, 48, of Traer was convicted of fatally shooting her husband Ryan Cooper on June 18, 2021. The trial was moved to Linn County from Tama County. PHOTO BY JIM SLOSIAREK/THE GAZETTE

CEDAR RAPIDS – After six days of emotional testimony, digital forensics, and conflicting accounts, closing arguments concluded on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Karina Sue Cooper’s first-degree murder trial. Right at 5 p.m. and within hours of final statements, a jury found her guilty of first-degree murder in relation to the 2021 death of her husband, rural Traer resident, farmer and father Ryan Cooper. The 12-person jury delivered the life-altering decision after just over three hours of deliberation at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids.

As part of his closing arguments, Assistant Attorney General Michael Ringle presented what he described as a “meticulously planned killing.” He focused on Snapchat messages exchanged between Karina Cooper, now 48, and alleged accomplice Huston Danker, now 27, including one about shell casings and a later reply from Karina Cooper saying, “Go.” The state argued these messages showed cooperation and premeditation. Ringle also emphasized forensic reconstruction of many variables: bullet trajectory, footprints, back-spatter patterns, and even Karina Cooper’s flashlight – all evidence trying to support her central involvement. He pointed to her behavior after the shooting – sitting on her husband’s body and rubbing her face in his blood – as evidence of a deliberate effort to mask gunshot residue.

Public Defender Nichole Watt countered that her client’s lies stemmed from fear and emotional manipulation, not intent to kill. She challenged the reliability of Snapchat data, stressing technological gaps and contending that the evidence lacked a direct murder order. Watt portrayed Danker as a coercive, manipulative figure and insisted Karina Cooper was overwhelmed rather than criminally complicit.

“She may be an idiot in her relationship…but she didn’t murder her husband,” Watt said to the jury.

Ringle’s rebuttal reinforced the state’s narrative: both digital messages and physical evidence placed Karina Cooper at the heart of the crime scene. He closed by insisting forensic science backed their version: “This is reality. This is science. She’s guilty.”

The jury began deliberations just after 1:18 p.m. and returned at 4:51 p.m. — taking a brief break around 4 p.m. in order for the judge to address the impending severe weather — delivering a unanimous guilty verdict. Karina Cooper faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is scheduled to occur at a later date. Her $1 million bail was revoked immediately following the verdict.

Several familiar Traer faces took the stand during the trial to provide insight into the couple’s relationship dynamic. Their testimonies painted a picture of tension, verbal threats, and emotional distance in the months and years leading up to Ryan’s death.

Brian Morrison, one of Ryan’s closest friends, gave a candid and emotional account of Ryan’s struggles at home. Morrison testified that Karina Cooper had made disturbing remarks about her husband long before the shooting, including a chilling statement she made in the fall of 2020: “I could shoot you in the face.”

According to Morrison, the comment wasn’t delivered jokingly. It was sharp and deliberate, one of several times she expressed open hostility in front of others. Morrison’s testimony added weight to the prosecution’s argument that Karina Cooper harbored long-standing resentment toward her husband and was capable of following through on threats.

Kirstie Seda, a former friend of Karina Cooper’s, offered a different glimpse into her behavior during the months leading up to the murder. Seda testified that Karina Cooper had gradually pulled away from their friendship in late 2020, becoming more secretive and private. She described Karina Cooper complaining about financial stress and expressing a desire to “take [Ryan] for everything.” Seda also recalled seeing messages between Karina Cooper and Danker.

Teresa McBride, who had known the Coopers for many years, told jurors about an alarming confrontation she witnessed around 2018. According to McBride, Karina Cooper mentioned that she wanted to shoot Ryan in the face.

Carmen Earhardt, another Traer resident, also testified. Earhardt said that Karina Cooper had changed noticeably over time, becoming more distant and, at times, volatile. Like others, she never believed Karina Cooper would act on those violent words, but in hindsight, she said the signs were difficult to ignore.

Together, the testimonies of these Traer residents painted a picture of Karina Cooper’s frustration and hostility toward her husband and established the grounds for a conspiracy to kill him. Their stories gave jurors a local, personal view of the defendant’s life and actions.

The Cooper family

Among those who testified during the trial was Michelle Cooper Wilson, Ryan’s sister and the bookkeeper for the family business, Cooper Farms. Her testimony focused on key administrative details that helped establish a timeline of events in the months leading up to Ryan’s death.

She told jurors that her sister-in-law had been removed from the farm’s phone plan in September of 2020, well before the June 2021 shooting. The prosecution used this information to suggest that Karina Cooper’s distancing from the family had begun long before the murder.

Wilson also testified that after Ryan’s death, she found a page from Karina Cooper’s call records in Ryan’s personal files. Attached to it was a yellow Post-it note that read “Huston D.” along with a phone number, information that matched the contact details of Huston Danker, Karina Cooper’s alleged co-conspirator. The discovery supported the prosecution’s argument that Ryan had become suspicious of the relationship and had begun collecting evidence.

After the jury’s unanimous verdict was read there was an immediate and visible reaction in the courtroom. People cried quietly. Others embraced as a group. Some simply sat in silence, processing the moment.

As the emotion settled, all eyes followed Karina Cooper, who stood to be escorted from the room. Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt placed her in handcuffs and led her out of the courtroom. The sight of her leaving in restraints was a final punctuation to the eight-day trial that held the attention of many, including those well beyond the limits of Tama County via coverage on CourtTV.

Following the verdict, Wilson posted a public message on Facebook along with a photo of her brother, offering thanks to the legal team and the broader community.

“Our family would like to thank Assistant Attorneys General Michael Ringle and Israel Kodiaga, Assistant Tama County Attorney Geneva Williams and their entire legal team for presenting a complete and thorough case against the person responsible for Ryan’s death,” she said. “Further, the successful prosecution would not have been possible without the countless hours and expertise of the DCI, Tama County Sheriff’s Department and the numerous criminal experts who amassed the mountain of evidence proving the defendant’s guilt. The list is long, but each and everyone of you did amazing work and we are forever indebted to you.”

“Lastly, but most importantly, we thank the jurors who gave their time and careful consideration of the facts presented in Ryan’s case. The burden of fulfilling this civic duty does not go unnoticed.”

“It is difficult to say justice has been served…our niece and nephews will never get their father back. Ryan will not be by our side as our father, Aaron and myself, continue our family’s farming legacy. We do believe this verdict will provide our family some sense of peace. We have justice for Ryan, but it does not bring back our brother, son, friend and father.”

“We appreciate all the support we continue to receive from our families, friends and communities! We are especially thankful to Waypoint Services for taking care of us and our families for the past four years. As we move forward, we kindly ask for time to process today’s events and adjust to our new reality.”

“Ride on Lil Coop!”

Sheriff’s statement

Later on Friday evening following the verdict, Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt, who was in attendance throughout the trial, issued a statement, thanking the Linn County Sheriff’s Office courthouse staff, deputies, and the jury for their “professionalism and commitment” during the proceedings.

“This case was built on years of tireless work. I want to recognize the investigators from the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, and the Tama County Attorney’s Office. To every person and agency who played a role in this case, whether mentioned by name or not, thank you. Your work mattered,” Schmidt said. “Investigations like this take time. They require patience, persistence and a commitment to the truth. But when justice is served, it is worth every effort.”

He went on to address the families involved in the case.

“To the Cooper family, this verdict does not bring Ryan back, but I hope it brings some peace. You have carried this weight for a long time. To Karina’s family, I know this is a painful time for you as well. No one is left untouched by a tragedy like this,” Schmidt said. “There is still another trial ahead. I am confident that the truth will continue to come out and that justice will continue to be done. The Tama County Sheriff’s Office will always stand for truth. We will always fight for victims. And we will always do what is right, no matter how long it takes. Ryan Cooper mattered, and we will not forget him.”

Danker’s trial set for August

Huston William Danker, who is accused alongside Karina Cooper of planning Ryan’s murder, is scheduled to go to trial on August 12, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Johnson County District Court in Iowa City. The trial marks the third scheduling for the case, which was previously postponed due to defense requests for additional time to review critical expert evidence.

Danker’s legal team, which includes criminal defense attorney Leon F. Spies of Iowa City, has indicated that he will pursue an alibi defense, claiming to have been at his parents’ home near Traer at the time of Ryan Cooper’s killing.

Like Karina Cooper, Danker faces a first-degree murder charge and remains behind bars in the Marshall County Jail (having been moved from Tama County) on a $1 million bond. His trial is expected to last approximately nine days and will take place in the same judicial district but a different county from Karina Cooper’s trial.

Karina Cooper is set to be sentenced on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. inside the Tama County Courthouse.