DOVER, Del. (AP) - September 25, 2008
Forty-year-old Francis Cooper pleaded guilty in July to
manslaughter in the 2006 slaying of 17-year-old Alfred Clark of
Dover. At sentencing on Wednesday, Cooper told Clark's family that
he was "truly sorry" for his role in the teen's death.
Prosecutors say Cooper stabbed Clark more than 50 times with a
kitchen knife then put the body in a trash can and fled to a
relative's home in Grasonville, Md.
Cooper's defense attorney argued Clark stormed into Cooper's
home demanding payment for a drug debt and Cooper acted in
self-defense.
As part of the plea agreement, the state agreed to seek a prison
term of 20 years or less.
Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
