Transgender Man Sentenced to Prison for Murder of 12-Year-Old Girl
A transgender individual identified as Joshua “Ash” Cooper has been handed a sentence of 15 to 40 years in state prison following the brutal murder of a 12-year-old girl named Morgan Connors in Pennsylvania. Cooper, 18 years old, entered a guilty plea on charges of third-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection with the incident that occurred in November 2022.
911 Call Reveals Horrific Details
On the fateful day of November 25, 2022, authorities received a disturbing 911 call from the Top of the Ridge Trailer Park in Bensalem Township. The caller, a juvenile witness, informed the police about a potential murder situation involving Cooper. The witness had been engaged in an Instagram video chat with Cooper, who shockingly confessed to committing the heinous act.
During the call, Cooper horrifyingly displayed Connors’ bloodied legs and feet to the witness, who was left in a state of disbelief. To make matters worse, the transgender perpetrator went as far as asking the witness to assist in cleaning up and disposing of the victim’s body, showcasing a cold and callous demeanor.
Arrest and Investigation
Law enforcement officers swiftly responded to the scene, where they encountered a juvenile fleeing from the trailer associated with the crime. Upon entering the premises, officers discovered the lifeless body of Connors on the bathroom floor, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The crime scene bore signs of significant attempts to conceal the evidence of the violent act.
Following an extensive search operation in the vicinity, Cooper was apprehended and taken into custody. The subsequent investigation unveiled that the firearm used in the murder was obtained from Cooper’s father’s secure gun safe within the residence. Cooper managed to access the safe by reactivating its combination lock, which had been rendered inoperative by his father.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
In addition to the substantial prison sentence imposed, Cooper was sentenced to seven years of probation for his involvement in the heart-wrenching crime. During the sentencing hearing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin M. McElroy relayed an emotional impact statement from the victim’s grandfather, underscoring the devastating loss and anguish experienced by the family.
The grandfather’s poignant statement emphasized the profound grief and suffering brought upon by the tragic loss of his beloved granddaughter, conveying the immense pain that transcends the limits of human endurance.
Image/Photo credit: source url