Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

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    HOLBROOK PRESS CONFERENCE
August 19, 2009

Lawyer: Joni Holbrook 'victim and survivor'

She is accused in shooting death of her husband

BY ART BUKOWSKI

TRAVERSE CITY -- The attorney for a woman accused of shooting her husband in Benzie County said his client was subject to an "overwhelming amount of abuse" throughout their marriage, but still refused to provide details.

Jesse L. Williams represents Joni K. Holbrook, who remains in custody on an open count of murder in the Aug. 10 shooting death of Michigan State Police Sgt. Melvin P. Holbrook.

Williams called Joni Holbrook "a victim and a survivor" at a press conference on Tuesday. He said his office is conducting its own investigation into the shooting, but wouldn't say what he hopes to discover or provide details of the alleged abuse.

"We're not going to comment on that at this point," Williams said. "We're standing behind her, and we're not going to comment on her defense."

Williams previously characterized the abuse as physical, mental and sexual in nature. Williams would only reference Melvin Holbrook's occupation when asked if Joni Holbrook ever reported the alleged abuse.

"It's pretty common knowledge that her husband was a state trooper ... take it for whatever you want; her husband was a state trooper," Williams said.

Joni Holbrook called 911 at about 1 a.m. Aug. 10 and said she shot her husband, authorities said. Police responded to the couple's Benzie County residence soon after and found Melvin Holbrook dead in a bedroom from apparent gunshot wounds.

Holbrook, 53, served as desk sergeant at the Traverse City post since 2002.

Benzie Prosecutor John B. Daugherty wouldn't comment on Williams' statements. A preliminary examination in the case is scheduled for Monday, but Williams said he expects the hearing will be postponed.

Some former co-workers of Melvin Holbrook doubt he would harm his wife. Former state trooper Scott Rothermel trained under Holbrook at the Traverse City post in 1999.

"I've known Paul for 10 years, and I don't believe him to be the type to abuse anyone, let alone his wife," Rothermel said.

Former trooper Brett Nichols worked with Holbrook for his entire tenure at the Traverse City post. He also is skeptical of Williams' allegations.

"Certainly nobody can look into their living room ... but the Paul I knew, he's never shown any type of violence at all," Nichols said. "That seems out of character."

Related Stories:
- State police join Holbrook investigation
- Sgt. Holbrook remembered at funeral
- Suspect's friends troubled by murder charge
- Questions build in trooper's death
- Wife charged in death of policeman
- Police sergeant killed in Benzie

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