A jury from outside Door County will sit in judgement at the April trial of a 36 year-old Illinois man, charged in connection with the deaths of a woman and her unborn child a s southern Door County resort last August. Door County Judge D. Todd Ehlers ruled in favor of a request for a change of venue in the case of Brian Cooper of Plainfield, Illinois. His attorney, Shane Brabazon of Green Bay, contended that his client could not get a fair trial with a Door County jury.
Cooper is accused in the strangling death of 21 year-old Alisha Bromfield, also from Plainfield. Bromfield was more than 6 months pregnant at the time of her death. Cooper is also charged with 3rd degree sexual assault.
He reportedly told investigators he killed Bromfield in a drunken rage when she indicated she had no desire to have a relationship with him. During the hearing Thursday, Brabazon asked the court to suppress statements made by Cooper to local authorities, but Judge Ehlers denied the request, siding with the arguments provided by District Attorney Ray Perline.
