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The Audio Long Read

A violent murder, a child on death row

The Audio Long Read

The Guardian

Society & Culture

4.32.4K Ratings

🗓️ 1 December 2023

⏱️ 39 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Paula Cooper was 15 when she murdered 77-year-old Ruth Pelke in her Indiana home, and was sentenced to death. But a campaign for her life came from an unexpected quarter. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is a passenger announcement. You can now book your train on Uber and get 10% back in credits to spend on Uber.

0:21.0

So you can order your own fries instead of eating everyone else's.

0:25.0

Trains now on Uber. T's and C's apply. Check the Uber app.

0:30.0

It can be tricky to be healthy whilst balancing whatever life throws your way,

0:35.0

but you don't need to become a fitness guru to start making healthier life choices.

0:39.0

For starters, get more sleep.

0:42.0

Studies suggest nearly half of UK adults aren't getting the recommended

0:46.1

seven hours sleep per night. Catching enough disease improves concentration, mental health, and reduces the risk of heart disease.

0:54.8

Want more health advice?

0:56.0

Whatever your age, visit the Guardian.com

0:58.8

forward slash Aviva health.

1:00.8

This message was paid for by Aviva.

1:05.0

Warning.

1:07.0

This episode contains strong language, mentions of child abuse, suicidal ideation, and descriptions of violence and murder.

1:17.0

Welcome to the Guardian Long Reed, showcasing the best long-form journalism covering culture, politics and new thinking.

1:24.4

For the text version of this and all our long reads, go to the Guardian.com

1:28.1

forward slash long read.

1:30.3

A violent murder,

1:34.0

murder, a child on death row, by Alex Mar. In the spring of 1985, Paula Cooper was 15 and on her lunch break at Lou Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana.

1:58.7

She and her friends Karen and April decided to skip their afternoon classes and head over to Candyland Arcade around the corner.

2:07.0

Paula had been at Lou Wallace for just a few weeks.

2:10.0

It was her fourth high school.

...

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