A 12-person jury deliberated for less than two hours Friday before handing down a guilty verdict on two counts of first degree intentional homicide in Door County Circuit Court in the case of 37-year old Brian Cooper of Plainfield, Illinois. It was the second time Cooper stood trial for the strangling death of 19-year old Alisha Bromfield, also of Plainfield, and her unborn daughter at a southern Door County Resort in August of 2012. The first trial ended in a hung jury in June of last year. However, the jury of eight women and four men, empaneled in Dodge County, was decisive in its decision-making, ending the proceedings on the fifth day of the trial. After he had a few moments to settle down, District Attorney Ray Pelrine was asked for his reaction to the outcome of the case…
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In terms of presenting a case, Pelrine followed the path he took during the first trial, layering evidence from a variety of sources. He told WDOR news that the jury didn’t buy Cooper’s contention that he had little recollection of the murder because of his level of intoxication at the time…
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The final jury was selected from 14 individuals, ten women and four men, who were chosen in Juneau a week ago. Judge D. Todd Ehlers, in his instructions, told the jury that they had the option to choose a lesser charge of reckless homicide, but they the chose the more severe outcome, life in prison as compared to up to 60 years. Door County Sheriff Terry Vogel said he was pleased with the verdict reached Friday…
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Homicides are a rarity in Door County, but Vogel said he was proud of the time and effort his officers put in during the death investigation…
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Judge Ehlers set Cooper’s sentencing date for Thursday, July 24th at 1pm. The Illinois man remains in the Door County Jail.
