A 36 year-old Illinois man, accused to homicide in the deaths of a 21 year-old woman and her unborn child, changed his plea at a status hearing in Door County Circuit Court Friday. Brian Cooper of Plainfield, Illinois now says he is not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Cooper’s attorney, Shane Brabazon of Green Bay, asked for more time for a mental health professional to evaluate his client. Judge D. Todd Ehlers told the defense and prosecution to agree on 2 doctors to do the evaluation for each come up with one name and he will select them to provide the services. In addition, a motions hearing on a requested change of venue was set for January 31st. Cooper’s trial is scheduled to being on April 8th.
He is accused in the strangling death of Alisha Bromfield, also from Plainfield, Illinois, and, by extension, the death of her daughter, at a southern Door County Resort on August 18th. Bromfield was more than 6 months pregnant at the time of her death. Besides 2 counts of intentional homicide, Cooper is charged with 3rd degree sexual assault. The prosecution contends he had sexual contact with Bromfield’s corpse.
The couple were in Door County to attend the wedding of Cooper’s sister near Egg Harbor.
Cooper told investigators he strangled Bromfield in a drunken rage because she indicated she had no desire to have a relationship with him. He remains in the Door County Jail on $1,000,000 bail.
