Cousins Christopher and Craig Cooper have been convicted of a violent rape and robbery.

SC Attorney General Alan Wilson said:

• Christopher Cooper was convicted in a Lexington County trial for his role in the West Columbia crime.

He was sentenced to life in prison for burglary-1st degree, kidnapping, armed robbery, criminal sexual conduct-1st degree, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a weapon in a violent crime.

• Co-defendant Craig Cooper was sentenced to 40 years in prison for burglary-2nd degree violent, kidnapping, armed robbery, criminal sexual conduct-1st degree, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a weapon in a violent crime.

On July 28, 2017, the cousins broke into a West Columbia home armed with a firearm, robbing and brutally raping the victim inside.

According to Robert Kittle of Wilson’s office, they did not know the victim, a young adult female who survived.

“She is an amazing woman,” Kittle said.

West Columbia police got DNA from the crime scene and did the detective work from there, Kittle said.

Both defendants con fessed once they were brought in.

“Investigator Chris Morris did an excellent job as both the lead case investigator and crime scene investigator.” he said.

The trial was held in front of Judge D. Craig Brown and prosecuted by Senior Assistant Deputy Attorney General Heather S. Weiss and Assistant Attorney General Megan Raymer.