MORE: Insanity plea ‘will not fly’ for Middletown man accused of stealing, crashing police cruiser
Cooper’s trial was scheduled to begin last week in Butler County Common Pleas Judge Charles Pater’s courtroom. But his attorney, James Cooney, asked for a continuance and to withdraw from the case. Cooney cited health issues.
Pater granted both motions. Richard Hyde, Cooper’s new attorney, requested the case be continued until Dec. 3.
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On Feb. 28, Cooper’s girlfriend called Middletown 911 dispatchers claiming he was “extremely drunk,” slamming doors, yelling and cursing, according to police. When officer Patrick Glassburn arrived to the 100 block of Bavarian Street, the 911 caller stood on the second-floor balcony and told the officer her boyfriend was hiding in the bushes outside the apartment.
As Cooper hid, he listened to the police scanner on his cell phone. Former police Chief Rodney Muterspaw said he believed Cooper was preparing to “ambush” the officer. Cooper allegedly came out from behind the bushes and displayed a knife to the officer. Glassburn told Cooper to drop what he was carrying, and when he refused, Glassburn used his Taser, which was ineffective.
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Cooper then got into the cruiser and crashed into another cruiser driven by Officer Ryan Morgan, who was responding to the disturbance call.
Cooper had pleaded not guilty to the charges by reason of insanity, but a doctor determined he was competent to stand trial. In July, Cooper’s first attorney, Robert Qucsai III, withdrew the insanity plea.
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