Franklin Co. Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Murder Case

A judge finds a Franklin County man guilty of murder

Monday afternoon, Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Malcom found 46-year old Brent Shubert of Canon guilty of malice murder, felony murder and concealing the death of another, in connection to the 2013 murder of his live-in girlfriend, Bonnie Ann Cooner.

A week-long bench trial before Judge Malcom ended with closing arguments Friday morning and the judge delivered the verdict Monday.

The judge then sentenced Shubert to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

During pre-sentencing testimony Monday, the court heard from Bonnie Cooner’s mother, Ann, who testified she and her husband have not been the same since their daughter was murdered.

Also called to the stand was Franklin County Sheriff Chief Investigator Jimmy LeCroy, who testified investigators had uncovered a plan by Shubert to escape from the Jackson County Detention Center where he was housed while awaiting trial.

LeCroy said the plan involved having people pose as Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies who would come for him and drive him out of jail and an offer of $5,000 to anyone who would kill or “neutralize” the primary witness against him.

In their pre-sentencing hearing, the defense called Shubert’s aunt, Rebecca Fitzpatrick, to the stand.

She testified Shubert grew up in a violent home and as a child saw his father often beat his mother in drunken rage and she said Shubert’s mother neglected him.

Defense attorney Adam Levin argued Shubert should have the opportunity to atone for his crime and had no previous criminal record.

However, District Attorney Parks White told the judge Shubert has shown no remorse for the death of Cooner.

White said he is satisfied with the Judge’s decision.

“We were firmly convinced of Mr. Shubert’s guilt from the outset,” White said. “The court made the right decision. We’re very pleased that Judge Malcom found that the state’s evidence, which was overwhelming, proved Mr. Shubert’s guilt beyond any and all reasonable doubt, and his sentence will ensure that Mr. Shubert will never again pose a threat to the people of Franklin County or the people of the State of Georgia.”

Meanwhile, Levin said he stands by Shubert.

“It was a difficult trial. My heart goes out to the Cooner family. We believed in Brent. We continue to believe in Brent. We will pursue all of his legal options upon appeal,” Levin said.

Judge Malcom set a date of July 6 to hear a motion to appeal for a new trial.

Levin said he is not sure if he will continue to represent Shubert, but said he does plan to file an appeal on his behalf.

Shubert has 30 days to file a motion for a new trial.