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Friends throw posthumous birthday party for Paula Cooper

Melissa Marble, left, and Lucina Yzaguirre, right, hug and cry together after releasing balloons with messages to their friend Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate at Holliday Park, Saturday August 29th, 2015. Cooper's death sentence for infamous murder of 78 year old Ruth Pelke, at the age of 15, was commuted to life after an international campaign. After 27 years, Cooper was paroled, and later committed suicide.
Melissa Marble, left, and Lucina Yzaguirre, right, hug and cry together after releasing balloons with messages to their friend Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate at Holliday Park, Saturday August 29th, 2015. Cooper's death sentence for infamous murder of 78 year old Ruth Pelke, at the age of 15, was commuted to life after an international campaign. After 27 years, Cooper was paroled, and later committed suicide.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Melissa Marble wipes away tears after releasing balloons with messages to Paula Cooper.
Melissa Marble wipes away tears after releasing balloons with messages to Paula Cooper.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Lucina Yzaguirre, center, her daughter Ai'yanna, left, and Destiny Roddy, right, set up for a posthumous birthday party for former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Lucina Yzaguirre, center, her daughter Ai'yanna, left, and Destiny Roddy, right, set up for a posthumous birthday party for former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Destiny Roddy helps fill balloons.
Destiny Roddy helps fill balloons.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Birthday balloons float, as friends of Paula Cooper hold a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate.
Birthday balloons float, as friends of Paula Cooper hold a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Jaclyn Edgar, left, Melissa Marble, center, and Lucina Yzaguirre, right, poses for photos during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Jaclyn Edgar, left, Melissa Marble, center, and Lucina Yzaguirre, right, poses for photos during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Melissa Marble, left, and Jaclyn Edgar, right, set up for a game of  prison birthday bingo, like they played during their incarceration.
Melissa Marble, left, and Jaclyn Edgar, right, set up for a game of prison birthday bingo, like they played during their incarceration.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Destiny Roddy calls bingo numbers during a prison style birthday bingo game.
Destiny Roddy calls bingo numbers during a prison style birthday bingo game.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Melissa Marble and other friends of Paula Cooper play a game of prison style bingo, while holding a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate, Paula Cooper.
Melissa Marble and other friends of Paula Cooper play a game of prison style bingo, while holding a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate, Paula Cooper.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Messages to Paula Cooper are written on balloons to be released by her friends during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate at Holliday Park.
Messages to Paula Cooper are written on balloons to be released by her friends during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate at Holliday Park.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Lucina Yzaguirre writes a message to her friend Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Lucina Yzaguirre writes a message to her friend Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Jaclyn Edgar writes a message to her friend Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper at Holliday Park.
Jaclyn Edgar writes a message to her friend Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper at Holliday Park.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Friends of Paula Cooper take a moment to pray before releasing balloons, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Friends of Paula Cooper take a moment to pray before releasing balloons, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate Paula Cooper.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star
Lucina Yzaguirre wipes away tears after releasing balloons with messages to Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate.
Lucina Yzaguirre wipes away tears after releasing balloons with messages to Paula Cooper, during a posthumous birthday party for the former death row inmate.
Michelle Pemberton / The Star