Friday, September 19, 2014
YOUNGSTOWN
The day before the fourth anniversary of Vivian Martin’s murder, one of the two men charged in the real-estate agent’s death pleaded guilty to aggravated murder as jury selection began in his trial in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of life without parole for 29-year-old Robert Brooks, who was facing the death penalty for the Sept. 20, 2010, murder of Martin, 67.
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors Friday agreed to dismiss the death-penalty specification.
Sentencing for Brooks is set for Oct. 1.
Police say Brooks and co-defendant Grant Cooper, 25, robbed and strangled Martin inside a home she was showing in the 3100 block of Nelson Avenue and then set the home on fire to cover up the crime.
Cooper pleaded guilty July 31 and is expected to receive a sentence of 29 years in prison.
Read more about the case, and reaction from Martin's relatives in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.