Ruth Pelke
4 girls held in killing
Teen-ager is convicted in murder of woman
Teen-Aged Girl Sentenced To 60 Years
Cooper Girl In Court For Sentencing In Fatal Stabbing Of Bible Teacher
Indiana girl, 16, gets death sentence
Grandson of murder victim forgives condemned killer
Teenager faces death sentence
Pope Urges Indiana Not to Execute Woman
High court hears appeal in teen’s death sentence
Indiana court spares life of teenage killer
Convictions in slaying are upheld
Murderpedia: Paula R. Cooper
Wikipedia: Paula Cooper
Pelke’s devotion to family, faith resonates decades after murder
Paula Cooper: Convicted of murder at 15, a Gary woman prepares for her 2013 release
Indiana woman sentenced to die at 16 for murdering teacher to be released
Paula Cooper Release: Ind. woman sentenced to death at 16 to leave prison
Movies/Documentaries
60 Minutes
Defendants
Paula Cooper – convicted, sentenced to death, overturned sentence, resentenced to 60 years in prison, parole 6/17/2013
Denise Thomas – convicted, sentenced to 35 years in prison
Karen D. Corder – pled guilty, sentenced to 60 years in prison
April J. Beverly – pled guilty, sentenced to 25 years in prison
INMATE INFORMATION
DOC Number 864800
First Name PAULA
Middle Name R
Last Name COOPER
Suffix
Date of Birth 08/25/1969
Gender Female
Race Black
Facility/Location Rockville Correctional Facility
Earliest Possible Release Date 06/17/2013
Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 08/18/1989
Description MURDER
Term in Years / Months / Days 60 00 00000
Type of Conviction M
Indiana Citation Code 35-42-1-1
Cause Number 3CR-109-685-433
County of Conviction LAKE
Projected Release Date 06/17/2013
INMATE INFORMATION
DOC Number 855539
First Name DENISE
Middle Name M
Last Name THOMAS
Suffix
Date of Birth 09/23/1970
Gender Female
Race Black
Facility/Location Discharge
Earliest Possible Release Date 08/25/2003
Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 12/04/1985
Description MURDER
Term in Years / Months / Days 35 00 00000
Type of Conviction M
Indiana Citation Code 35-42-1-1
Cause Number 3CR-113-85-445
County of Conviction LAKE
Projected Release Date 08/25/2003
INMATE INFORMATION
DOC Number 863347
First Name KAREN
Middle Name D
Last Name CORDER
Suffix
Date of Birth 07/27/1968
Gender Female
Race Black
Facility/Location Deceased
Earliest Possible Release Date 12/30/2008
Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 05/30/1986
Description MURDER
Term in Years / Months / Days 60 00 00000
Type of Conviction M
Indiana Citation Code 35-42-1-1
Cause Number 3CR-79-585-313
County of Conviction LAKE
Projected Release Date 12/30/2008
INMATE INFORMATION
DOC Number 853678
First Name APRIL
Middle Name J
Last Name BEVERLY
Suffix
Date of Birth 09/13/1969
Gender Female
Race Black
Facility/Location Discharge
Earliest Possible Release Date 04/10/1999
Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 07/18/1986
Description ROBBERY (SERIOUS BODILY INJURY)
Term in Years / Months / Days 25 00 00000
Type of Conviction FA
Indiana Citation Code 35-42-5-1
Cause Number 3CR-110-685-434
County of Conviction LAKE
Projected Release Date 04/10/1999
