John Brooke, a suspect in events surrounding a shootout at Bass Lake in February, and his attorney, Dale Allen, told Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall Monday afternoon that they have failed to come to a satisfactory plea agreement with the court so they will move forward to trial.
The trial will begin on Monday, February 21st, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. CT and will last the week. Allen said there could be up to 50 witnesses called to take the stand. A final status hearing will be held on January 26th to ensure all paperwork is prepared for trial.
Brooke allegedly planned a shootout with police with Michael Drogosz, Kimberly Hitchens, and James Reed and allegedly agreed to rob two banks in Knox and then flee the area, and maybe even the country.
Brooke is facing seven charges against him. They include: Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, a Class B Felony; Intimidation, a Class C Felony, Possession and Manufacturing of a Destructive Device, a Class C Felony; Possession of a Destructive Device, a Class C Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class D Felony; Unlawful use of Body Armor, a Class D Felony; and Assisting a Criminal, a Class D Felony.
