Cooper and three other students decided to skip school during their lunch hour. They drank some wine and smoked marijuana. One suggested that they rob Ruth Pelke. One hit Pelke on the head with a vase; Cooper and Karen Lorders stabbed her. Three defendants received sentences ranging from 25 to 60 years. The prosecution and the victim's son argued strongly for capital punishment, and Cooper received a death sentence. A few months later the author began thinking about Cooper and his grandmother during a period of self-pity following the breakup of a relationship with a women. He began crying and praying. He thought about his grandmother's faith in Jesus and Jesus's views on forgiveness. He realized that he should try to generate some love and compassion. He began to exchange letters with Paula. An Italian journalist became interested in the story and wrote articles for Italian newspapers. He spoke at events sponsored by opponents of capital punishment. He appeared on the Oprah Winfrey program. Later he learned that the Indiana Supreme Court had overturned Cooper's death sentence; she would now serve a 60-year sentence.