Bay City Man Found Guilty Of 1978 Slaying
PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A 50-year-old car salesman from Bay City has been found guilty in the execution-style slaying of a Detroit-area man more than 30 years ago.
After deliberating for nearly three hours, an Oakland County jury found Wilbern Cooper guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder in the 1978 killing of Farmington Hills resident David McKillop.
Prosecutors say Cooper shoot McKillop in the head seven times. It could have been a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as prosecutors allege McKillop's roommate was the intended target.
Cooper, who was 17-years-old at the time of the killing, told McKillop's family and friends he did not even know the victim, let alone kill him.
Cooper is scheduled to be sentenced to life in prison without parole on May 25.
Defense attorney Jerome Sabbota told The Oakland Press Cooper will pursue an appeal.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
