Huston Danker speaks with his attorney Leon Spies after being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole during his sentencing at the Tama County Courthouse in Toledo on Friday, October 3. This past August, Danker pleaded guilty to the charge of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Ryan Cooper. According to a criminal complaint, Danker told police that he helped Karina Cooper kill her husband. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

TOLEDO — Huston William Danker was sentenced on Friday, Oct. 3, to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the June 2021 death of Ryan Cooper.

The sentencing took place Friday morning in Tama County District Court, in the same courtroom where his co-conspirator Karina Sue Cooper was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Sept. 19. Danker was present with his attorney, Leon Spies. Assistant Attorneys General Israel Kodiaga and Michael Ringel were also on hand alongside Assistant Tama County Attorney Geneva Williams.

On Aug. 12 shortly before jury selection was set to begin in his scheduled trial, Danker entered a guilty plea to the charge of first-degree murder in violation of Iowa Code sections 701.7 and 707.2. During his sentencing on Friday, the State moved to admit several exhibits — including Snapchats, Google history logs, and photos recovered from the Cooper residence — which the court admitted despite defense objections.

On behalf of Danker, Spies addressed the court.

“This was a tragedy of unimaginable proportions, especially in a small community like this, where everybody knows everybody. Huston Danker was blinded, both emotionally and spiritually and morally. It led him to aid and abet Karina Cooper in the murder of her husband. But Huston Danker is not a man without worth. He’s not a man without promise. He pledges to his family and to his community that he will take advantage of his isolation to improve himself and improve his aspects and prospects,” Spies said. “Every crime has ripple effects. This has cataclysmic effects for families and communities, and Huston Danker pledges to the best of his ability to correct the damage that’s been done.”

Huston Danker, right, listens to Ryan Cooper’s sister, Michelle Wilson give a witness impact statement during his sentencing at the Tama County Courthouse in Toledo on Friday, Oct. 3. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Ryan Cooper’s sister, Michelle Wilson, delivered an emotional victim impact statement to the court. She mentioned this sentencing as the second time her family had been forced to prepare victim impact remarks, following the earlier conviction of Karina Cooper.

“Preparing and presenting a second victim impact statement for the murder of a loved one is unjust,” Wilson said. “Not only did one of these psychopaths have a demented, vile, and evil mind, but they both contributed to the planning and execution of my brother’s murder.”

Wilson told the court that farming had been her brother’s lifelong dream and a continuation of a family legacy. She recalled him as a boy eager to climb into the tractors with his father and grandfather, and later as an adult who built his life around cattle and crops.

“Farming was not a job for him. It was a career, a family legacy. He loved every minute of it,” Wilson said.

She added that Cooper also dreamed of being a father, describing how he proudly welcomed each of his children. Her statement accused Danker and Karina Cooper of trying to “steal” those dreams and replace Ryan’s role in his own family.

Huston Danker, right, talks with his attorney Leon Spies before his sentencing at the Tama County Courthouse. Danker was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

“What was your dream? Was it your dream to have Ryan’s life? You would murder him and assume his place,” Wilson said, addressing Danker directly. “Ryan was sentenced to death by this murderer. Those of us left on Earth were sentenced to life without Ryan.”

Wilson concluded by condemning Danker’s actions as irredeemable. “I think you’re a psychopath just like your accomplice,” she said. “Now go to hell.”

Judgment and Sentencing

Judge Lars Anderson formally adjudicated Danker guilty of first-degree murder and imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. In addition, Danker was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to Cooper’s estate, court costs, and required crime victim compensation fees.

The court accepted Danker’s financial affidavit and waived payment of certain restitution obligations under Iowa’s “category B” statute.

Huston Danker listens as he is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at the Tama County Courthouse in Toledo on Friday, Oct. 3. PHOTO BY SAVANNAH BLAKE/THE GAZETTE

Judge Anderson acknowledged Danker’s guilty plea, granting it “some credit,” but emphasized that it did not atone for the harm done. The judge reminded Danker of the lasting impact of the crime and the many affected by it.

“You’ll have plenty of time to think about that,” the judge said.

Danker was notified of his right to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court within 30 days, with provisions for appointed counsel and transcript access if he cannot afford them.