BREAKING NEWS | Brooks enters guilty plea in 2010 death of Vivian Martin

YOUNGSTOWN — Robert Brooks, 29, pleaded guilty today in the strangulation of a real-estate agent on the East Side in 2010.

Life without parole is the recommended sentence.

Some 120 jurors had reported to Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to begin the selection process before Visiting Judge Lee Sinclair for Brooks’ upcoming trial.

But as that process got underway today, the court learned Brooks had entered his plea for the murder of 67-year-old Vivian Martin, owner of Essence Realty.

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

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com