The Region - News from Feb. 22, 1985

Although he could be facing the death penalty, convicted mass murderer Kevin Cooper will not appeal to the court for mercy, his attorney said. Under normal circumstances, a person convicted of first-degree murder would ask for mercy, defense lawyer David Negus said. “But Kevin Cooper cannot do that. He won’t do that. He told you before that he didn’t commit the crime and he maintains his innocence,” Negus said in his opening statement to the San Diego Superior Court jury hearing the penalty phase of the trial.