Jurors in Vivian Martin murder case to get orientation Friday

YOUNGSTOWN — Jurors will report Friday for orientation in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in the 2010 case of a man accused of murdering a real estate agent on the East Side.

One hundred twenty people will be reporting before Visiting Judge Lee Sinclair to begin the selection process in the case against 29-year-old Robert Brooks, who could face death if convicted in the Sept. 20, 2010, murder of 67-year-old Vivian Martin, owner of Essence Realty.

A co-defendant, Grant Cooper, 25, entered guilty pleas to several charges for the death of Martin July 31 and faces 29 years in prison. His sentencing date is set for Oct. 2. Part of his plea agreement includes that he testify against Brooks.

In a final pretrial hearing today, Judge Sinclair ruled against a defense motion to dismiss the charges because the trial would violate Brooks’ right to a speedy trial. Judge Sinclair said that in the court record, there were no objections by defense attorneys in the several continuances that were granted since the case was indicted in October 2010.

But the judge said he may revisit the motion during the trial if it becomes apparent that Brooks’ right to a fair trial is being violated because of the time lag in presenting the case to a jury.

Judge Sinclair also granted a prosecution motion to allow previous acts from the robbery of a real estate agent five days before Martin was killed. Prosecutors said they wanted the jurors to hear that information because other than Martin’s murder, there are 11 similarities between that previous case and the crime that resulted in Martin’s death.

Read more about the case in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.