TAMA COUNTY, Iowa — An Iowa man pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder, just before jury selection was to begin in his trial.

The Tama County Attorney’s Office said Huston Danker changed his plea to guilty in the 2021 murder of Ryan Cooper. His trial had been scheduled to begin at 9:30 Wednesday morning.

Ryan Cooper was shot to death on June 18, 2021, in the Traer home he shared with his wife, Karina Cooper. Court records say he was shot twice in the head and died from his injuries at the scene.

Karina Cooper was arrested in February of 2024 and charged with first-degree murder in his death. A criminal complaint filed in the case claimed she told witnesses she “wanted Ryan dead and could shoot him in the face.”

A jury found Karina Cooper guilty of first-degree murder in July 2025. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 5th.

Danker was arrested on April 28th, 2024 and charged with first-degree murder. Court documents stated he admitted to investigators that he helped plan and carry out Ryan Cooper’s murder.

An October 3rd sentencing date has been set for Danker.

The mandatory sentence for a first-degree murder conviction in Iowa is life in prison without the possibility of parole.