Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Related Photos

Discussion

June 15, 2009

Businessman set to be sentenced Thursday

Cooper faces up to 10 years in prison in connection to intoxicated assault in March 2008

By Rich Flowers News Editor

Athens businessman Kenneth “Pete” Cooper is scheduled to learn Thursday whether he’ll serve jail time for a March 2008 drunk-driving accident.

Cooper pled guilty before 3rd District Judge Mark Calhoon in April to two counts of intoxicated assault. Since the plea did not involve a plea bargain for any specific punishment, Cooper could get probation, or he could still get up to 10 years in the penitentiary for each count.

During the sentencing phase Monday, Christy Arlien Adams, 41, testified about the effects of the injuries she sustained in the collision. In addition, Adams’ father, 75-year-old Bill Day of Leagueville, told how the wreck had changed his daughter’s life.

Calhoon also heard arguments from District Attorney Scott McKee and defense attorney Robert Perkins. After hearing from both parties, Calhoon delayed formal sentencing to allow him time to read letters submitted by the defense concerning Cooper’s character.

On March 23, 2008, Cooper — a partner in the Cooper Funeral Home of Athens — was driving a Chevrolet Suburban that collided on with Adams’ Plymouth Voyager on Loop 7 in Athens. Cooper, Adams and Franklin Pinkerton — a passenger in Adams’ vehicle — were all injured.

Police said Cooper’s blood alcohol level was .26 at the time of the wreck — more than three times the legal limit in Texas.

Day said Monday his daughter had been healthy enough to work as a phlebotomist before the wreck, as well as care for her three grandchildren.

“She’s not the same person now physically or mentally,” Day said.

Day recalled seeing Adams in the intensive care unit at East Texas Medical Center Tyler.

“I saw her all wrapped up like a mummy,” Day said. “She had multiple bandages on her.”

Adams, testifying from a wheelchair, said she has no memory of the life-altering accident and only sketchy recall of her life before the wreck.

“I don’t remember her, that woman I’m supposed to be,” Adams said. “It’s hard on everybody because I’m not the woman they remember, either.”

As part of her testimony, Adams read from a letter she had written to Cooper. In it, she urged Cooper and others to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol.

“You don’t realize whose life you could be changing,” Adams said.

McKee asked Calhoon to render a sentence that would send a message to anyone drives while intoxicated.

“Consider the lives that this has affected,” McKee said. “We’ve put it on the court and ask you to make an appropriate decision.”

Perkins painted a picture of Cooper as a respected citizen who made one horrible mistake. Perkins said Cooper had never been in trouble prior to the wreck and could still be of use to the community

“I don’t think it’s fair to make that one snapshot from his life define Pete Cooper,” Perkins said. “This is a man worthy of redemption.”

The court will reconvene Thursday at 1:30 p.m. for Calhoon’s decision.

Text Only
Local News
  • Parking lot altercation leads to arrest

    Athens police, acting on a 911 call, drove up on a an altercation at 505 S. Palestine St. at the Save-a-Dollar parking lot just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

    May 25, 2012

  • One arrested, two released after cocaine discovery

    It probably wasn't the best place to hang out — the Henderson County Judicial Center parking lot on West Corsicana Street — not with a quanity of cocaine inside the console of the car.

    May 25, 2012

  • Primary voting Tuesday

    Ready, set, vote.
    The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the Democratic and Republican Primaries. Henderson County candidates run the gamut from first-timers to long-time incumbents.
    Some county voters will be traveling to new polling places for this round of balloting, after the much-debated redistricting process.

    May 25, 2012

  • Henderson County communities participate in Click It or Ticket

    It's not a good weekend to get out on the state highways without buckling up.
    In fact, that's probably true every weekend.
    But the 11th annual Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Mobilization Campaign is under way, now through June 3, 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • martha & mary pic.jpg ‘Martha and Mary’

    The Henderson County Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with Elite Barrel Racing, announces the World Premiere of local Playwright R.G. Haynie’s newest play, “Martha and Mary,” on May 31  at 7:30 p.m., with additional shows on June 2, June 7, June 8 and June 9  at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10  at the theatre complex, located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos

  • Witnesses aid in suspects’ capture

    Timing is everything, and one would-be burglar apparently didn't have it during a burglary at a home on North Murchison Street near Athens.
    Witnesses saw the burglary as it was happening, and one homeowner, Billy Stewart, fired three rounds at the burglar, as he was driving off his property with a stolen yellow 4-wheeler.

    May 24, 2012