BATESVILLE, AR – Samuel “Big Hit” Sherman and Donald Bill Smith will spend the rest of their lives behind bars after a federal jury convicted them of murdering Susan Cooper, a woman who dared to cooperate with the feds. The pair were sentenced today, bringing a grim end to a case that exposed the ruthless lengths drug dealers will go to protect their operation.
Cooper, a former methamphetamine customer of Sherman’s, began working as an informant after purchasing from him. This quickly put a target on her back. Sherman, facing potential federal charges himself, allegedly conspired with Smith to eliminate the threat Cooper posed. The feds built a rock-solid case proving the pair deliberately planned her death.
The court heard chilling testimony detailing how Smith drove from Malvern to Batesville at Sherman’s request. What was initially intended as another drug transaction quickly devolved into a calculated act of violence. An eyewitness, Rachael Cooper, testified she saw Smith gun down Susan, hearing her desperate cries before she fell silent. It was a brutal ambush, meticulously planned to silence a witness.
Cooper’s body wasn’t discovered for over a year and a half, a testament to the lengths the killers went to conceal their crime. It wasn’t until Smith was initially charged in state court that a witness came forward, revealing Smith had enlisted help burying the body. Federal agents then recovered the remains, finally bringing some measure of closure to Cooper’s family. The delay only fueled the outrage surrounding the case.
The weeks-long trial saw federal prosecutors lay out a compelling case, bolstered by Rachael Cooper’s harrowing testimony, meticulous cellular data tracking, and other damning evidence. The jury didn’t hesitate. Smith was found guilty on multiple counts, including witness tampering resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and firearms charges related to the drug trafficking crime. Sherman received the same fate.
“This wasn’t just about drugs; it was about control,” said a source within the U.S. Marshal Service. “These guys thought they could operate above the law, silencing anyone who threatened their profits. They were wrong.” The sentencing sends a clear message: interfering with federal investigations will be met with the full force of the law.
The feds involved in the case say this conviction is a major victory for witness protection programs, proving that cooperating with law enforcement won’t be met with impunity for those who try to obstruct justice. However, sources also admit the case highlights the constant danger faced by informants, even with increased security measures.
Sherman and Smith will now begin their life sentences, trading the streets for steel bars. While it won’t bring Susan Cooper back, her family can at least find some solace knowing her killers will pay the ultimate price for their actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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