Inland Valley Voice

TRIAL RECEIVES DELAY OF GAME

The criminal trial of Jermaine Brooks, a former Rancho Cucamonga High and
University of Arkansas star football player, has been delayed nearly one
month so the prosecution can review the crime lab report.

The trial, which was scheduled to begin today, is now set for Feb. 26.

"We were waiting on the lab results," Washington County (Ark.) Deputy
Prosecutor John Threet said. "We actually have them now, we just got them,
but we reset [the trial] because it was so close."

Brooks was arrested Oct. 22 after police raided his Fayetteville, Ark.,
apartment and found 7.5 pounds of marijuana, six guns, a bayonet and
$16,841 in cash. Earlier that day, police had traced an additional three
pounds of marijuana to Brooks.

Brooks was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to
deliver, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of drug
paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession
of stolen weapons.

Threet said he has had discussions with W.H. Taylor, Brooks' attorney,
about a plea bargain.

"We've been talking on and off," Threet said. "I think we'll probably
arrive at something for a guilty plea. It would probably happen on Feb. 26,
the same day [as the trial would begin], since he's out and not in custody."

Taylor refused to comment on the case, other than to confirm the delay.

Brooks, a starting defensive lineman and captain for the Razorbacks in
2002, was dismissed from the team immediately following the arrest. He was
released from prison on $7,500 bond.