Arraignment of Donald Brooks

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, July 28, 1999
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Deputy District Attorney Scott Gordon amended the murder complaint of the March 24, 1999 murder of Lisa Kerr and subsequent arrest of the murder suspect; Donald Lewis Brooks Jr. to include three special circumstances charges; torture, kidnapping and lying in wait. In addition DDA Gordon filed one count of stalking and one count of arson with great bodily injury. Brooks was arraigned in San Fernando Court Division 130 on those charges today (July 28, 1999).

Donald Brooks Jr, age 34, was involved in a dating relationship with the victim, Lisa Kerr, 32 years old. Ms. Kerr was attempting to end the relationship with the suspect. Brooks began stalking the victim. On March 23, 1999, Brooks followed the victim to a babysitting job for a mutual friend. When Ms. Kerr arrived back at her residence in the early morning hours of March 24, 1999, Brooks confronted her. Police believe Brooks strangled Ms. Kerr, rendering her unconscious. Brooks later drove her to the 170 freeway at the Roscoe exit and set her vehicle on fire, while she was inside it. She was alive at the time the fire was set. Brooks fled out of the State to Arizona, New Mexico and later Colorado. Brooks settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He worked as a plumber in the construction field and attended local AA meetings. On 7-21-99, a Colorado Springs television station ran a "Crime Stoppers" segment on their newscast. Within moments of the suspect’s picture airing, several people called the local authorities to report his whereabouts. Colorado Springs Homicide Detective Derek Graham arrested the suspect at his residence without incident. LAPD Foothill Homicide Detectives Lindy Gligorijevic and Rick Gonzales flew back to Colorado Springs the following day. On 7-26-99, Brooks waived extradition and Detectives brought him back to Los Angeles to face murder charges.

Ms. Kerr is survived by her eight year old son, Tyler Kerr. There is a trust fund set up through Fidelity Federal in his name. People wishing to contribute can do by sending their contribution to Fidelity Federal P.O. Box 1631

Contacts
Lt. Rick Papke 818-834-3115
Detective Lindy Gligorijevic 818-834-3104
Detective Rick Gonzales 818-834-3113

For Release 4:00 pm PDT
July 28, 1999