Transgender teen sentenced up to 40 years in prison for killing 12-year-old girl

A transgender 18-year-old in Pennsylvania, previously known as Joshua Cooper, was sentenced to up to 40 years in prison for fatally shooting a 12-year-old girl in Bensalem Township in 2022.

A transgender teenager from Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to the killing of her 12-year-old friend while they were watching Netflix together. After committing the crime, she posted photos of the child’s body on Instagram.

Ash Cooper, who began transitioning after the arrest, confessed to the crime on Instagram. Cooper claimed to be in a sexual relationship with the victim, Morgan Connors. The guilty plea included charges of third-degree murder, possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence. The sentencing by Judge Jeffrey L. Finley includes 15 to 40 years in prison and seven years of probation, as well as a requirement for a psychological evaluation.

Authorities noted that significant efforts were taken to clean the crime scene. Cooper claimed the murder was accidental, expressing fear of spending his life in jail.

The victim's grandfather shared in a statement to the court that losing his granddaughter caused intense pain and heartbreak, adding that the human heart is not designed for such anguish.

Here are the details:

Incident Date: November 25, 2022
Location: Trailer park in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania
Events:

The victim, Morgan Connors, and the perpetrator, Ash Cooper (originally charged as Joshua Cooper), were watching Netflix.
Morgan got up to use the bathroom, and Ash decided to clean and organize her father’s gun safe.
It remains unclear what happened next, but an acquaintance of Ash saw Morgan’s body in a video call on Instagram.
In the video chat, Ash flipped the image and showed the legs and feet of someone covered in blood.
Ash asked the acquaintance to help clean up and dispose of the body.
Authorities found Ash running out of the back of the trailer.
Morgan was discovered dead from a gunshot wound in the bathroom.
Towels soaked in blood, cleaning supplies, and the strong odor of bleach suggested an attempt to clean up the crime scene.
Ash Cooper insisted it was an accident but never revealed the motive behind the killing.
Court documents indicate that Ash had been in a sexual relationship with the victim.

Sentencing: 15 to 40 years behind bars, followed by seven years of probation. Ash will be placed in a therapeutic community within the state prison system.