No plea from Brooks, attorney expects trial
Post Independent Staff
GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Fatal shooting suspect Jessie Brooks didn’t enter a plea during a hearing in Ninth District Court Friday morning because the prosecution and defense have not yet met to discuss a possible plea deal in the case.
And while Brooks’ attorney, Arnold Mordkin, didn’t rule out Brooks accepting a plea agreement, he said it seems most likely that the case will go to trial.
“My client’s adamant about his innocence,” Mordkin said.
Brooks, 23, is charged with reckless manslaughter in the shooting of his friend Bobby Rogers on April 2 in Carbondale.
If convicted, Brooks could receive two to six years in prison, three years mandatory parole and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000.
Brooks’ next hearing is set for Aug. 8, where Ninth District Judge T. Peter Craven said he must either plead innocent – in which case a trial date will be set – or accept a plea deal from prosecutors and plead guilty.
If a trial occurs, Mordkin said, it would most likely happen in October.
Contact Greg Masse: 945-8515, ext. 511
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