MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A Marion man has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend following a three-day trial that concluded on Thursday.
Sixty-year-old Jerry Lee Cooper was convicted on multiple charges, including murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s office.
The fatal incident occurred on January 12, 2023, at the couple’s home.
Prosecutors stated that Cooper shot 48-year-old Teresa Gibson in the head during a domestic argument, leaving her paralyzed and unable to breathe.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Cooper attempted to conceal his actions by placing a towel over Gibson’s face and discarding the weapon by driving around Marion in the early morning hours.
Cooper is scheduled to be sentenced at a future date, where he faces a minimum sentence of 18 years to life in prison.