Brian Cooper has new representation for his second Door County jury trial on two counts of first degree intentional homicide. Attorney Gregory Gerber of the public defender’s office in Green Bay replaces Shane Brabazon, the Green Bay lawyer who bowed out after the Plainfield, Illinois man’s mistrial in June. Cooper is accused of strangling 21-year old Alisha Bromfield to death at a southern Door County resort last August, Bromfield, also from Plainfield, was six months pregnant at the time of her death.
A jury from Wood County was empaneled to hear the case in Door County Circuit Court & it agreed that Cooper was guilty of third degree sexual assault, but could not come to a decision on the murder charges after deliberating for more than 14 hours. Judge D. Todd Ehlers acknowledged that the 12-person jury was hopelessly deadlocked & sent them home. During the court proceedings Friday morning, attorney Gerber asked for 30 days to study materials related to the defense case. District Attorney Ray Pelrine did not object & judge Ehlers granted the request. The judge also scheduled another hearing in Door County court for August 27th at 11-30AM.
