Ronny Scott Cooper : “Felon Charged with Carjacking Teen in Marion County Trial”

Editor’s note: This article will be updated following this afternoon’s testimony.

Seated in a wheelchair at the defense table, Ronny Scott Cooper, who is potentially facing life imprisonment if found guilty of armed carjacking, appeared disheartened.

In March 2019, law enforcement officials stated that Cooper allegedly stole a vehicle at gunpoint from a motorist at the Petro truck stop located at 7401 W. County Road 318, in Irvine. The victim, a 17-year-old girl from Kentucky, recounted that she was refuelling her vehicle when a man, believed to be Cooper, inquired if she was heading to Lake City. Upon her negative response, the man brandished a firearm, demanded cash, and her older model GMC Sierra. The perpetrator permitted her to retain her wallet, entered the vehicle, and drove away. Authorities later confirmed that the weapon used was a BB gun.

Law enforcement officers apprehended the suspect a few days later in the victim’s vehicle with the assistance of an East Baton Rouge (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office deputy. The suspect was identified as Cooper, who reportedly confessed to taking the vehicle from a woman in Marion County.

Since his apprehension over five years ago, there have been numerous delays in bringing the 62-year-old convicted felon to trial. These disruptions include Cooper dismissing several appointed lawyers. At one instance, a jury had been selected, but on the trial day, Cooper decided to have legal representation instead of representing himself.

Initially offered a 20-year sentence, Cooper declined the proposal. Subsequently, he rejected a 14-year offer. Prosecutors are now pursuing a habitual offender charge against Cooper, which could result in a life sentence if convicted.

Did Cooper make a confession?

During Thursday’s trial, which is anticipated to last two days, Cooper opted to represent himself after parting ways with Jeffrey Dean of the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel last week. Despite being offered court attire by his former lawyer, Cooper chose to appear in a jail uniform.

In his opening statement to the jury, consisting of four men and three women, with one alternate, Cooper acknowledged the charge but claimed to have no recollection of the events. He mentioned previous suicide attempts in Las Vegas before moving to Marion County at his mother’s insistence. Cooper highlighted his struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Assistant State Attorney Janine Nixon detailed the prosecution’s case against Cooper, citing his prosthetic leg and the threat he posed to the victim with a gun. She asserted that Cooper coerced the young girl into surrendering her vehicle for a journey to Lake City.

Testimonies from two local law enforcement officials and a golf instructor from Louisiana who encountered Cooper on a golf course were presented. Fingerprint evidence linking Cooper to the vehicle was also highlighted as incriminating evidence.

Cooper’s apology to the victim

The victim, now 23 years old, was the first to testify. She recounted the traumatic experience of being carjacked by Cooper when she was a minor. The prosecution presented video evidence and images from the incident.

During his cross-examination, Cooper expressed remorse to the victim, stating, “I’m sorry for what I did,” and requested her forgiveness.

Related:Teen denied bail in 2023 gas station shooting and carjacking

Following the lunch break, jurors were dismissed with testimony scheduled to resume in the afternoon.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.