PlayStation Murder Conviction | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Friday, April 24, 2009

Fresno, CA The shooting near Fresno State shut down large parts of the campus nearly two years ago.

Brooks is now facing 50-years to life in prison. Jurors convicted the 21-year-old of first degree murder for killing Brant Daniels. Brooks nearly collapsed as he learned the jury also convicted on three attempted murder charges.

As the convictions were announced, reality slowly set in for Brooks. His attorney held him up. The clerk continued to read 4 guilty verdicts. Eventually, the jury's decisions became too much for Brooks to handle.

The victim's mother is Lorna Daniels. She said outside of court, "This is about Jonquel Brooks that took my son's life. And I'm mad. I'm angry. And I have a passion for this justice." Daniels expressed both anger and happiness. Brooks was convicted of shooting and killing her son 19-year-old Brant Daniels. Investigators said Daniels and a group of college students were trying to reclaim a stolen Sony PlayStation in may 2007. Instead, a shooting broke out at University Village Apartments injuring Roderick Buycks and Drew Pfieff. Both men were in court for the verdicts. Pfeiff said, "I feel like justice was served today. Justice was served for Brant, me, Rod and Kodi. We can move on with our lives, but we will never forget Brant and the person he was."

In the trial, Brooks claimed self defense, saying the victims barged into his apartment and threatened him. But after deliberating less than four hours jurors disagreed. Defense Attorney Jane Boulger said, "I just feel really badly that I wasn't able to deliver the message properly to the jury that this was truly self defense."

Brooks will learn his punishment in May. The Daniels family is expected to attend that hearing and tell Brooks their feelings.