Teen gets probation in friend’s death

NEWARK -- Noah Bigham, a Pataskala teenager who authorities say shot and killed his friend while playing a video game, has received a sentence of probation without jail time after pleading “admit” to a misdemeanor charge of negligent homicide.

The two 15-year-old boys, Bigham and Hunter Cooper, were playing a video game in Cooper's home on Jan. 26. Bigham told police he pointed a gun’s laser in the eyes of his friend to distract him, then pulled the trigger, not knowing the gun was loaded.

The death has torn apart the two Pataskala families, and emotions were still raw Thursday at Bigham’s hearing in Licking County Juvenile Court.

Amy Cooper, Hunter’s mother, was unable to read a prepared statement, so it was read for her. She spoke against the sentence, the result of a reduced charge agreed to by the prosecutor and defense attorneys and probation officer that avoided a trial.

“I think the consequences for Hunter’s death should be more than what you’re getting," Amy Cooper said. "It’s not an ‘Oops, my bad’ kind of thing. You made the choice that night. You chose to pick up the gun. You chose to point it at Hunter. You chose to pull the trigger. Now Hunter is dead and our family has been rocked to its core.

“You took everything away from us. We will never get to watch Hunter graduate high school or go into the Army or do any other thing in life he would have done."

Juvenile Court Magistrate Chris Strefelt sentenced Bigham, who turned 16 on Wednesday, on the lesser charge, reduced from reckless homicide, a thirddegree felony.

Bigham will be placed on an indefinite period of probation, with the conditions including house arrest, curfew, counseling, random drug and alcohol testing, school attendance and no possession of weapons. Juvenile Court Judge Robert Hoover will give final approval of the magistrate's order.

"... You were taught about guns. You knew the rules about guns,“Amy Cooper said to Bigham. ”So when you say you don’t know anything about guns, we all know it’s a lie and you know it’s a lie. We take some responsibility for what happened, but we trusted that you and Hunter would follow the rules of our house.”

Austin Cooper, Hunter’s older brother, said in a statement that Bigham “took someone who had one of the brightest futures ahead of him. You caused this. You killed Hunter. You killed my little brother and took him from me.

"If it was up to me, you would rot in prison for what you have done. I am constantly angry for ever letting you be his friend. I hope you suffer for a long time for this nightmare you caused.”

Strefelt said his options, with the misdemeanor charge, also included ordering payment of a fine, probation up to his 21st birthday, writing an apology letter, performing community service, placement in a foster home, participation in a treatment program and serving 90 days in detention.

Bigham was arrested on Jan. 27 and placed at the Multi-county Juvenile Detention Center in Lancaster until Jan. 31, when he was released into the custody of his mother.

Bigham spoke briefly in court, telling the Cooper family: “I just want to apologize to everybody. You guys know I love you and still do. There’s nothing that will change that. I am very sorry for everything.”

Outside of court, Bigham added: "Hunter was truly my best friend and he’ll forever be with me. Hunter was a great person. He’ll forever be missed.”

Bigham's attorney, Sam Shamansky, said it was not the time to place blame for an accident, but added there was an "arsenal" of guns in the Cooper house.

“We all know this was a mistake, an accident," Shamansky said. "It was preventable, and it should never have occurred. We also know this young man feels extremely remorseful.”

Bigham's parents spoke briefly outside of court.

“I just hope one day the parents will find it in their heart to forgive him because they loved him like a son. Noah was over there every day,” Ashley Samsal, Noah's mother, said of the Coopers

Shane Bigham, Noah’s father, said, “Accidents will happen. This was a complete accident. Nobody is to blame here.

"Those guns should have been locked. If locked up like they’re supposed to have been, it never would have happened. So maybe we should be looking at the parents.” kmallett@newarkadvocate.com @kmallett1958