Man who murdered family had history of mental illness Stamford, N.Y. - 23-year-old Delaware County man who killed four members of his family had assaulted his father earlier this year with an axe, authorities said Friday Kinley Cooper was taken into custody Thursday after he fired a shotgun blast in direction of state troopers and sheriff's deputies who cornered him at a remote pond near the Deer Run ski resort on the Delaware-Schoharie County border, about 55 miles southwest of Albany. Earlier that day, the bodies of his father, Robert Cooper, 59, his mother Elizabeth, 48, his brother Daniel,, 22, and grandfather Charles Smith, 78, were found at Smith's hunting cabin outside the village of Stamford.Police said Smith was killed in his bed while the bodies of Robert and Daniel Cooper were found outside near a pond. Elizabeth Cooper's body was found in the pond, where police speculate she had tried to flee from her son.Police say they think the killings occurred late Wednesday.Delaware County District Attorney Malcolm Hughes said Kinley Cooper was arrested in January on a reckless endangerment charge after attacking his father, an attorney, with an axe. Hughes said Kinley Cooper spent time in various psychiatric programs and was a diagnosed schizophrenic.'Bob (Cooper) didn't want me to pursue the charges,' Hughes said.Delaware County Sheriff Paul Peterson said he understood Kinley Cooper had shown threatening behavior towards his family at other times, once even punching his father in the face Hughes said Kinley Cooper left a note on the door of his father's office in Stamford after the killings and intended it to be interpreted by police as a note from his father. 'Basically it alluded to the fact that he was sorry it happened and he wanted it to appear it was Bob writing it,' Hughes said.

The preceding story is based on an actual murder committed locally in 1989. There are some facts that have been changed for this assignment. Our firm has been asked to represent Kinley Cooper. You will be researching any possible defense to the charges. You should present a 7-10 page legal memo that discusses the murder in the first degree charge, any defense that might exist and if you believe there is a lesser charge that might be a point of negotiation for a plea deal. Things you should consider in your research are that Kinley had unmedicated schizophrenia. He had previous violent episodes. He left a note prior to the killings and that he eventually turned himself into police. Don't forget to detail the necessary components of a murder charge and address those as it relates to this case. I need your legal analysis by May 11th at 10am sharp. No late memos will be accepted. Remember our client deserves competent representation and this memo is a part of that process. Legal brief Dec