SAMUEL JAMES COOPER | American Serial Killer Who Murdered Five Men In North Carolina Between 2006 And 2007 | Life Imprisonment Without Parole (5 Consecutive Life Terms) | Autographed Letter Signed

Samuel Cooper. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Raleigh, NC. December 10, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Samuel James Cooper

Early Life and Background

Samuel James Cooper was born on January 12, 1977, in the United States. He grew up in a severely abusive household where he faced regular physical violence from his father. The abuse began when he was just three months old and escalated as he aged. By the time he reached adolescence, specifically at the age of 13, Cooper had become desensitized to pain and fear due to the continuous beatings. This early exposure to violence likely played a significant role in shaping his psychological state.

Criminal History Prior to Murders

Before committing murder, Cooper had a history of criminal behavior that included armed robberies. In 1994, he was involved in several armed robbery incidents which led to his imprisonment. While serving time for these crimes, Cooper escaped from prison in 1999 by overpowering a supervisor along with two other inmates. His violent tendencies were further highlighted when he attempted to attack a deputy during a court appearance related to his escape.

After serving time for these offenses, Cooper was released from prison in February 2006.

Murders Committed

Cooper’s criminal activities escalated into murder shortly after his release. Between May 2006 and October 2007, he committed five murders:

• Osama Haj-Hussein, 43 years old (killed May 12, 2006 at a his store in the bathroom)

• LeRoy Jernigan, 40 years old (killed June 3, 2006 at a restaurant)

• Timothy David Barnwell, 34 years old (killed April 27, 2007 in his apartment)

• Ricky High, 48 years old (Oct. 12, 2007 homeless man was shot once in the arm and three times in the back)

• Tariq Hussain, 52 years old (killed Oct. 14, 2007 worked at a store)

Some of these murders occurred during armed robberies, indicating a pattern of violent crime intertwined with theft.

Arrest and Conviction

Cooper was arrested in November 2007 following a bank robbery where he dropped a handgun while fleeing the scene. This firearm linked him directly to the murders through ballistic evidence. After being apprehended by law enforcement, Cooper confessed to all five murders.

During his trial for these crimes, prosecutors sought the death penalty based on his violent history and the nature of the murders. However, Cooper’s defense argued that his childhood abuse had severely impacted his mental health and decision-making abilities. Ultimately, the jury decided against capital punishment and sentenced him to five consecutive life terms without parole – one for each murder committed.

Current Status

As of now, Samuel James Cooper is serving his life sentences at Warren Correctional Institution in North Carolina without the possibility of parole.

VIDEO: Samuel James Cooper Videos | https://www.wral.com/news/local/asset_gallery/2102160/

Archiving Protocol:

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