FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2022

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – District Attorney Jason Anderson wrote an open letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom on May 5, 2022 demanding that Gov. Newsom use his recent passion for the rule of law and reliance on legal precedent, in terminating the innocence investigation into convicted mass murderer Kevin Cooper.

DA Anderson’s letter comes two days after Gov. Newsom’s press release regarding the U.S Supreme Court Opinion that may seek to overturn the abortion rights case of Roe v. Wade. In his statement, Gov. Newsom expressed outrage at the dismissal of legal precedent, stating “They (U.S. Supreme Court) are undermining progress” and “We have to fight like hell.”

He had the same stance last year in a June 4, 2021 press release regarding a federal judge’s decision to overturn the Court’s precedent upholding California’s Assault Weapons ban. In Gov. Newsom’s statement he says the judge “completely undermines the credibility of this decision” and “we are not backing down from this fight”.

DA Jason Anderson understands the frustration and lack of stare decisis all to well.

“Now you know how I and the surviving family members of Doug Ryen, Peggy Ryen, Jessica Ryen, Christopher Hughes, including attempted murder victim Josh Ryen, feel about your so-called innocence investigation on behalf of convicted mass murderer, Kevin Cooper.” writes DA Anderson. He then brings attention to the fact the innocence investigation is led by a mergers and acquisitions law firm, despite over thirty years of competent judicial process at both the State and Federal Court confirming Kevin Copper’s guilt.

“The record and precedent confirm Cooper’s guilt.” wrote DA Anderson. “You have to wake up. Our Office will fight like hell. The victims’ family members will not be silenced.”

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