CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Both suspects in the killing of Brooks' Sandwich House co-owner Scott Brooks pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them Thursday morning.
Terry Connor Jr. and Steven Staples both face multiple charges in connection with Brooks' death on Dec. 9, 2019. Brooks was shot and killed during an armed robbery while preparing to open the popular NoDa shop.
Connor and Staples' cases will now go to trial.
David Brooks, Scott's twin brother, and other family members were all in court Thursday. They say they are thankful no plea deals were offered to the suspects. They were also told it could take from three to five years before the trial begins.
“To see the backs of the guys that took my brother's life it’s tough, it's difficult, it really is," David said. "I know it’s a fact of life and this is the way our justice system works and I have faith we’re going to keep come out with a good promising outcome.”
Terry Connor Jr.
Connor was arrested on March 4, 2020, and served outstanding warrants for murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He previously served six years in prison for a home invasion where he shot two people.
Connor and Staples are also two of three people who were charged in the killings of Asa Shannon and Siojvon Joseph in January 2020. He was denied bond for Brooks' killing in April of this year.
"Thank heaven [Connor] won't be out on the street anytime soon," Brooks said after the hearing.
Steven Staples
Staples was charged with murder on Nov. 27, 2020, eight months after CMPD took Connor into custody. He was already in jail on other charges and was linked to five homicides over a six-week span across the Charlotte area. Just weeks before Brooks was killed, Staples was released from prison after serving more than 12 years for his role in a robbery.
Staples was linked to the killing of Anthony Leaks on Dec. 23, 2019, as well as the killings of Asa Shannon and Siojvon Joseph on Jan. 11, 2020, and Andres Moscotte on Jan. 23 in Hickory.