TAMA COUNTY, Iowa — A jury found a Traer woman guilty of the first-degree murder of her husband on Friday.

A Linn County jury found Karina Cooper guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Ryan Cooper.

In June 2021, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office was called to a home in Traer where Ryan Cooper was found having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Cooper died from his injuries at the scene.

According to a criminal complaint, Ryan’s wife, Karina Cooper, told witnesses she “wanted Ryan dead and could shoot him in the face.” Karina was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder in February of 2024.

The trial was moved to Linn County to ensure fairness and lasted from July 2nd to July 11th, with a break for the holiday.

The jury delivered their verdict around four hours after closing arguments were made, ultimately siding with the prosecution. First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence without parole.

Following the verdict, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office shared a letter thanking law enforcement for their work over the past several years and acknowledging the families affected during the trial.