A former Elkhart man fighting for a new trial so he can clear his name will learn in March whether he will get his wish.
Keith Cooper was convicted of robbery resulting in serious injury from an incident in 1996. He received a 40 year prison term and, even though he was released from prison in 2006, he maintains he’s innocent, even though his felony conviction remains on his record. He wants a new trial so he can be exonerated of his crimes.
Cooper will get a chance for a new trial during a hearing on Mar. 23 in Elkhart Circuit Court in Goshen, according to court documents.
Officials with the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office didn’t respond to comment requests from the Elkhart Truth. Cooper previously accused outgoing Prosecutor Curtis Hill and Vice President-elect Mike Pence of stalling in his requests for justice for political reasons.
Cooper feels DNA evidence, several witnesses recanting testimony, and shoddy investigative work by Elkhart police as reasons why he feels he’s innocent.
