State witness Brian Morrison takes a moment as he talks about witnessing verbal violence between Ryan and Karina Cooper during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Morrison who said he was Ryan Cooper’s best friend stated that in 2020 Karina had told him she wanted to shoot him in the face. He said that Karina was often verbally abusive to Ryan while he hung out with them. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defendant Karina Cooper reacts as former friend and state witness Kirstie Sheda speaks about Karina and Ryan’s relationship during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, July 7, 2025. Sheda said that the two were often fighting, especially when there was drinking involved. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

State witness Kirstie Sheda speaks about her relationship with both Karina Cooper and Ryan Cooper during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defense attorney Nichole Watt reacts as the state prosecutors ask DCI investigator Jon Turbutt a question during Karina Cooper’s trial. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Iowa Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Lars Anderson speaks to the defense about their objection to talking about the 2023 interview with Huston Danker during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defense attorneys Aaron Hawbaker, left, looks over something with Nichole Watt during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. The defense called for several objections throughout the state’s questioning of witnesses. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defendant Karina Cooper reacts after state witness Kirstie Sheda says that she talked about shooting a .22 caliber gun during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Sheda testified that her and Karina discussed how smooth the gun was when fired. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

State witness Kirstie Sheda smiles as she reflects on the character of Ryan Cooper during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Sheda said Ryan was a man of few words. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Iowa Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Lars Anderson listens to the state prosecution during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on July 7, 2025. The state prosecution brought in eight witnesses to testify on Monday. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

State witness Leroy Bradley speaks about Karina and Ryan Cooper’s relationship during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Bradley said he often witnessed the couple fighting and the arguments revolved around money. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

State witness Carmen Erhardt speaks about her relationship with Karina Cooper during Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Erhardt says she was friends with both Ryan and Karina Cooper and would spend time hanging out with them both. She stated that closer to Ryan Cooper’s death Karina became withdrawn from the friend group and lost weight. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Chelsea Savings Bank branch manager Brad Rund speaks about the overdrafts found in Karina Cooper’s accounts during her trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. The state presented several months of bank statements that showed Karina overdrafting several times a month and amounting to hundreds of dollars. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Shelter Insurance agent Jeff Gundenkauf speaks about the insurance policy Ryan Cooper took out during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

State witness Theresa McBride talks about a night she hung out with Ryan and Karina Cooper during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. McBride claims that on a night in 2018 during an argument Karina claimed she wanted to shoot Ryan. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defense attorneys Aaron Hawbaker, left, talks with Nichole Watt during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. The defense called for several objections throughout the state’s questioning of witnesses. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defendant Karina Cooper listens to DCI investigator Jon Turbutt speak during her trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Cooper is accused of murder in the first degree of her husband, Ryan Cooper on June 18, 2021. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defendant Karina Cooper turns to speak with her attorneys Nichole Watt and Aaron Hawbaker as state witness Kirstie Sheda speaks about Karina’s experience handling firearms during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Sheda claimed that Karina was familiar with guns and the two had discussed firearms in the past. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Defense attorney Aaron Hawbaker questions state witness Kirstie Sheda during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. The defense asked if she had ever witnessed Karina shoot the gun to which Sheda responded, “No.” PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

DCI investigator Jon Turbutt speaks about his interview with Karina Cooper in regards to the killing of her husband, Ryan Cooper during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, July 7, 2025. Turbutt testified that Karina became agitated during their interview when asked about June 18, 2021. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

DCI investigator Jon Turbutt speaks about his interview with Karina Cooper in regards to the killing of her husband, Ryan Cooper during Karina Cooper’s trial at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Turbutt testified that Karina became agitated during their interview when asked about June 18, 2021. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE