VAN BUREN - A pair of psychology experts have determined that a Crawford County is
mentally fit to stand trial in an October 10, 2016 murder trial, and
the 37 year-old Mulberry man will go before Crawford County Distict 1
judge Gary Cottrell on Monday.
Jeremy Brake is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting
death of Michael King, as well as arson, being a felon in possession
of a firearm, 1st degree criminal mischief, tampering with evidence
and endangering the welfare of a minor. He was examined in July and
both experts determined Brake is able to “understand court proceedings
and help his attorney prepare for trial”.
Brake is scheduled to appear before Cottrell on Monday for a plea or
trial request hearing, according to court records.
According to court records, an informant told Crawford County
investigators he was at King’s mobile home in Rudy in the early
morning hours of Oct. 10 along with Brake and Brake’s minor son.
The informant said the adults were going to smoke methamphetamine and
prior to the drug use, Brake retrieved a sawed-off shotgun from the
porch.
According to the arrest records, Brake pointed the gun at King a
number of times before finally shooting the victim in the stomach.
Brake then set a a fire inside the mobile home while everyone else
fled the residence.
Witnesses told deputies they could hear screams come from inside the
house and King’s body was later found in the destroyed dwelling, which
was deemed a total loss.
According to family members, Brake and King were considered “friends”
before the murder.
Brake has been jailed without bond since his October 12 arrest after
he surrendered to authorities and was interviewed.
