(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Accused murderer Timmy Lee Brooks was charged today with first degree intentional homicide. If convicted, he will spend the rest of his life in prison. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, three counts of felony bail jumping, and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping. According to the criminal complaint, at 12:20pm, a member of housekeeping staff found the victim, 29-year-old Montreach Mitchell dead in a hotel room soaked in her own blood. Police responded immediately and found (4) .22 caliber shell castings. Mitchell was shot three times, at least once in the back of the head. Kenosha Rescue personnel determined that she was indeed deceased.
Mountain of Evidence
Police checked with the manager who told them the Brooks had checked into the hotel under his real name and even used his Wyndham rewards card. Police reviewed surveillance from two cameras in the hotel’s hallway outside the second floor room where Mitchell was murdered. Both Brooks and Mitchell were seen entering the room, and only Brooks was seen leaving. The next person to enter the room was the maid. Both of the hotel room neighbors reported hearing gunshots that woke them up in the early hours of Wednesday, May 25. Brooks turned himself into Milwaukee Police and confessed to shooting Mitchell over an argument about his phone. He told police he shot her in the back of the head, and then two more times after she fell to the floor. He said she “died instantly.”
(Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Chaos in the Courtroom
The hearing today at 1pm was packed with friends and family of the victim, a mother of three. Brooks seemed to smile and taunt the folks causing some to bang on the glass between the gallery and the courtroom. Deputies removed Brooks from the room temporarily until things calmed down. A deputy radioed for backup and at least three more deputies arrived to help calm the grieving friends and family member.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Graveley and his assistant prosecutor asked for a $1,000,000 cash bond, much lower that what the family wanted, telling them before the hearing, “We’re going to ask him for an amount he won’t be able to post.” Defense attorney Christopher Bub asked for a “reasonable cash bond” citing Brooks’ ties to the Kenosha community.
(Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Victim’s Family Speaks
Three of Mitchell’s family members, all stricken with grief, addressed Court Commissioner Keating at today’s hearing. Her father asking for $2,000,000 bond, disagreeing with DA Graveley’s recommendation. Her brother Sharmain asked for $20,000,000. Mitchell’s sister asked for an ever higher bond or “no bond” (which isn’t legal in Wisconsin).
Bond Issued
Victim’s Father, Brother, and Sister Addressing the Court
(Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Judicial Court Commissioner Loren Keating was responsible for Brooks being out on bail at the time of the murder. He set low bonds for all three of Brooks’ open criminal cases involving violence, and two of them, involving violence towards Mitchell. Today, he set Brooks’ bond at $1,000,000, much lower than what the family asked for. You can read about Brook’s open criminal cases here.
(Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Low Bond Part of the Blame?
Progressive Kenosha DA Mike Graveley and his prosecutors rarely ask for high cash bond amounts for violent charges. Usually his requests are rubber-stamped by the courts like what we saw today. Some community members think that the low bonds for Brooks, who even missed court recently and had a warrant issued, are partly to blame for this murder. If he had a higher bond, they argue he may have been in jail and not had the opportunity for murder. This will certainly renew the debate of low cash bails in Kenosha County. Brooks is next due in court on June 3 at 8:15am for a preliminary examination.
Video in Milwaukee of Brooks turning himself in:
(Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
12 Responses
Let the family have him. Screw trials. He confessed.
KCE, great coverage.
bill, the problem is that many people have falsely confessed and have later been exonerated. Rather than drawing conclusions about which confessions might be accurately restated and, additionally, which might be true, it’s better to let the criminal process play out every time as a matter of policy. Otherwise we get trial by media. That’s a bad idea, even when the media is as good as the KCE.
I agree with you Bill. Fredo and I would be going fishing tonight if it were my loved one. The justice system is broken and full of fools for profit. Take matters into your own hands and never talk about it again.
With all due respect Mr. Chicchini if Loren Keating had a pair and did his job this woman may still be alive.
Irishman, you are now talking about two different issues. In reverse order of your postings: (1) What is the purpose of bail and how should it be set? (2) Should a person accused of a crime get the benefit of the process (e.g., a defense lawyer, a prelim, a trial if he wants one, etc.), or simply be hung based on a twitter poll? When the issues get mixed, the result is nonsensical internet ranting.
No offense, half of what you talk is Internet ranting, too. There is legal theory and there is real life. This POS defendant should be given bond where he won’t be getting out. Let’s be honest, though….this POS doesn’t have $1000 to his name probably.
I see your point. KCE writings often emotionally bring out the worst in me. I just get emotionally angry reading this story feeling for the family. I’m better now that I calmed down over eating. I can see clearly now. No more rants.
No problem, Irishman! I suppose that’s (in part) the effect of good journalism — it stirs emotion. And if you think bond was set too low, there are definitely arguments that bond should serve a different purpose than its legally stated purpose and, regardless of its stated purpose, should have been set higher in this instance, given the facts of that defendant’s case.
This loser and his family with their taunting and smiles are just like that martice loser and his parents, as I recall they did the same crap in court. Even helped him jury tampering, however they helped him get away, not turn him in. Losers.
I’m sure Martice still thinks he is a bad ass right now even though he is getting gang raped in prison.
Sure he is. He’s definitely the bitch
The problem is the judicial system that gives these boys a chump change bond and they kill same exact problem in Racine County! She was my coworker and friend she did not deserve this nor does any woman I fled the state in fear as I wish she would have done the same. I guarantee you if it were that court commissioners mother, sister, daughter he wouldn’t have bonded out!!!