Retired history Professor Marc Cooper stabbed to death by a colleague

An instructor at Missouri State University has been arrested for allegedly murdering a Jewish retired professor by stabbing him to death in his living room in front of his wife, reported the News-Leader.

Police arrested Edward M. Gutting, 43, after he reportedly killed Marc Cooper, 66, a professor emeritus of history at Missouri State University and an active member of his Reform synagogue.

Police found Gutting outside the Coopers’ home covered in blood. They arrested him without incident and brought him to Greene County Jail, where he is being held on $1 million bond.

According to the probable cause statement, Gutting broke into the Coopers’ home around 8 p.m. last Wednesday evening. Gutting then chased Cooper from the back door of the Coopers’ house, through the kitchen and into the living room, where he repeatedly stabbed Cooper with a long knife.

Nancy Cooper, Marc Cooper’s wife, tried to fight Gutting off, and was cut several times, the statement continued. Her wounds were not life-threatening. Gutting apparently told Nancy Cooper that whatever the reason he was trying to kill her husband “was between him and Cooper,” and that he did not want to kill her if he didn’t have to. ...