Cooper pleads guilty in Realtor Martin's death

YOUNGSTOWN

One of two suspects in the September 2010 death of real estate agent Vivian Martin entered a guilty plea today in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Grant Cooper entered a plea to  charges of involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated arson for the death of 67-year-old Vivian Martin in a home she was showing in the 3100 block of Nelson Avenue Sept. 20 2010.

Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 29 years.

Martin was robbed, strangled and the house set on fire.

Visiting Judge Lee Sinclair accepted the plea.

In exchange for his plea, Cooper will not face the death penalty.

A co-defendant, Robert Brooks, 29, will go on trial later this year. He can receive the death penalty if convicted.

Cooper's deal is contingent on his truthful testimony against Brooks during his trial.

Judge Sinclair was appointed to the case when Common Pleas Judge James Evans, who was assigned the case in October of 2010, announced his retirement.