Brian Cooper took the stand in his own defense during the defense portion of his trial in Door County Circuit Court Thursday. The 36 year-old Plainfield, Illinois man is charged with 2 counts of first degree intentional homicide and 1 count of third degree sexual assault in connection with the strangling death of 21 year-old Alisha Bromfield, also of Plainfield, at a southern Door County resort last August. Bromfield was 6 months pregnant at the time of her death.
Under questioning from Defense Attorney Shane Brabazon, Cooper said his memory was faulty with regard to several aspects of the case, including elements of his interviews with Door County Sheriff’s Department investigators. Cooper said he had difficulty being certain he made the statements attributed to him. The jury selected in Wood County, watched DVDs of the interviews during the prosecution’s presentation, a case that District Attorney Ray Pelrine rested on Wednesday.
Witnesses for Cooper are expected to include family members, a co-worker and a medical expert. Once the defense has completed its case, closing arguments will be presented and the case will be turned over to the jury.
A total of 14 people were selected to sit on the jury panel, but Judge D. Todd Ehlers excused one person who became ill during the proceedings. The final 12-person jury will be selected from the 13 people remaining.
