Case of mom shooting, paralyzing son heads for trial

A woman accused of paralyzing her son by shooting him in the throat after an argument about an ex-girlfriend must stand trial, a Las Vegas judge ruled Wednesday.

Justice of the Peace William Jansen said prosecutors had shown enough evidence during a lengthy preliminary hearing spread out over weeks to bring to trial their case against Linda Cooney, 64.

She is charged with attempted murder, battery with use of a deadly weapon, intimidating a witness and stalking in the shooting of Kevin Cooney in June 2011.

Jansen said the shooting was either the result of a suicide attempt by Kevin Cooney or that Linda Cooney shot her son. Jansen doubted the son shot himself.

Instead, Jansen said a jury must decide whether Linda shot her son in self-defense or with malice and forethought.

The judge noted she was bruised and scratched the night of the shooting.

The case revolved around the relationship between Kevin Cooney and then- girlfriend Karina Taylor. Prosecutors said Linda Cooney was trying to sabotage her son's relationship by sending text messages to an employer, saying Taylor was "an evil whore," sparking the fight the night of the shooting.

Prosecutor Michael Staudaher said, "I would submit that this woman has total control over two adult sons and that her manipulation of them is at the heart of this case."

Defense attorneys argued prosecutors failed to meet the minimal burden of proof to bring the case to trial. Defense attorney Michael Castillo said, "All we have is messages from a concerned mother basically wanting this woman to stay away from her son."

During his testimony, Chris Cooney said his older brother was verbally and physically abusive to him and his mother. Chris Cooney testified his mother said his 6-foot, 9-inch tall brother "brutally" attacked her the morning of the shooting.

An arraignment was set for Dec. 12 in District Court.

Kevin Cooney, who worked as a bouncer and doorman at nightclubs on the Strip and downtown, is an incomplete quadriplegic, meaning he has some movement in his arms and legs.

Authorities said the gun Linda Cooney used to shoot her son was the same one she killed his father with in Florida 21 years ago. A jury acquitted her in his death thanks in part to testimony from Kevin Cooney, who witnessed the shooting.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at
fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.