The Illinois man charged with killing a 21-year-old woman and her unborn daughter at a Door County resort has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
Brian Cooper's attorney entered the plea on his client's behalf during a status conference Friday in Sturgeon Bay.
Shane Brabazon told Judge Todd Ehlers that the NGI plea is a combined plea with the not guilty plea previously entered.
"I have not received any authorization from my client at this point to admit anything with respect to the allegations of the information," said Brabazon.
Ehlers said the dual plea would require a bifurcated trial.
Ehlers established a January 11 deadline for both sides to submit a recommendation of doctors to perform an NGI evaluation.
Brabazon also presented an approximately one-inch thick stack of documents to support his motion for a change of venue. Ehlers is expected to take up that motion at a hearing on January 31.
The 36-year-old Cooper is accused of killing Alisha Bromfield and her unborn daughter August 19 in the Town of Nasewaupee.
A trial in the case is scheduled to begin April 8.
