Cuba Woman Receives 20 Years For Murder Charge

A Cuba woman was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison for her role in the 2021 murder of a Steelville man.

Julie Brooks, 48, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Mark Palmer.

Brooks was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and kidnapping.

She appeared before Judge Michael Randazzo.

Brooks was set to go to trial in December, but Judge Megan Seay recused herself from the case and Randazzo was assigned Oct. 7.

Brooks is the second defendant to be sentenced in Palmer's death.

Marcus Dothage pleaded guilty in October and received 20 years in prison for second-degree murder, along with October 2020 charges of first degree-assault and unlawful use of a weapon in a separate case.

Dothage is imprisoned at the Fulton Diagnostic & Reception Center.