35 Years for Murder of Ofc. Perry Brooks

From the SAO:

Judge John Howard sentenced Brandon Wall, 22, of the 2000 block of Hillenwood Road to life in prison suspending all but 35 years today for the first-degree murder of Correctional Officer Perry Brooks. Wall pled guilty November 14, 2008 to felony first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and robbery deadly weapon. Under terms of the plea agreement, Wall faced a maximum of life suspend all but 35 years.

The State requested life in prison suspend all but 35 years. Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Banks advised the court that on May 25, 2007 at approximately 2:30AM Officer Brooks was parking his car in the rear of the 1900 block of Hillenwood Road. Brandon Wall approached Officer Brooks while in his car with the intention to rob. Wall produced a handgun and fatally shot Officer Brooks. Investigators recovered 9mm shell casings from the scene. Those shell casings matched casings found at the robbery scene of a Morgan State University professor a few weeks earlier at Hillen and Hartsdale Roads. The professor reported on May 10, 2007 at approximately 9:30PM while walking to his car a male matching the description of Brandon Wall approached him and announced a robbery. The professor attempted to get to his car and was shot in the right side of his abdomen. He later identified Wall in a photographic array. After his arrest, Wall confessed to the robbery and murder and attempted to minimize his involvement and implicate other unknown persons. No other suspects were arrested.

The family of Lieut. Brooks was present for the sentencing and his daughter gave a victim impact statement. She described her father as the backbone of the family saying life without him has been a struggle. A childhood friend also submitted a written impact statement outlining the heavy heart and empty feeling he has since his friend’s death.

Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Banks of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.