Remembering Joseph Brooks

 

A Violent Episode and A Deadly Threat

On May 11, 1988, Ricky Layfield arrived at his estranged girlfriend Paula Brooks’ house to drop off his 6-month-old son. Ms. Brooks had met Layfield after leaving her husband, George Brooks, with whom she had one daughter. Ms. Brooks and Layfield moved in together and a short time later, Ms. Brooks gave birth to her second child, Joseph Allen Brooks. A few months after Joseph’s birth, Layfield and Ms. Brooks would separate, and Layfield would take his son for regular three-day visits.

Layfield became irritated that day when he found Ms. Brooks’ estranged husband at the home. Mr. Brooks was visiting his daughter. Layfield would frequently accuse Ms. Brooks of planning to rekindle her marriage with Mr. Brooks and plotting to keep Joseph from him. Layfield, who already had two police reports filed against him by Ms. Brooks in the previous 30 days, went into a rage. He choked Ms. Brooks twice and slapped her in the face with his open hand. Mr. Brooks helped his estranged wife out of the house and was then chased by Layfield, who threatened to kill him. Ms. Brooks got into a car driven by a male acquaintance to escape. Layfield punched the driver five times in the face and broke out the driver side window of the vehicle. Layfield picked up his son and told Ms. Brooks, “I’m taking Joseph and you’ll never see him again.” He then drove to his parents’ house.

Ms. Brooks called police, who arrived a short time later. She advised them they should get Joseph because Layfield was not acting sanely. Ms. Brooks stated the police told her the baby was as much his as it was hers. Police were unsuccessful in finding Layfield, however; according to Police Capt. Wayne Cairns, they would have no right to take Joseph from him unless they believed the child was in danger.

According to neighbors of Ms. Brooks, Layfield came to their home after police left the scene. One of the neighbors stated, “Rick [Layfield] told us he felt like he was going to stab her but then he said, and these are his words, he came to his senses.” The neighbor continued, “He just didn’t want his kid even being around George [Brooks].”

A Brutal Murder

On May 12, 1988, Ricky Layfield’s father was getting ready to go to work when he found an apologetic letter on the kitchen counter. The letter was from his son. It was then that Layfield’s father checked on his grandson, Joseph, in his playpen and discovered he was not breathing. Layfield’s father called authorities, who arrived and tried to revive Joseph, but it was too late. The baby was dead. The coroner determined Joseph died from suffocation as a result of being held underwater in the kitchen sink. The coroner also found a deep stab wound to Joseph’s neck. Ricky Layfield was arrested and charged with aggravated murder for killing his 6-month-old son.

When Layfield was arrested, he was already on probation for an earlier theft violation. He had violated this probation both by being out after his 10PM curfew and by assaulting Ms. Brooks.

Strong Evidence lead To Plea Deal

The most powerful pieces of evidence against Layfield were the letters left to his parents and Ms. Brooks.

In the letter to his parents, Layfield wrote, “Mom and Dad, I’m sorry. I can’t change what I’ve done.” He made it clear he did not want to go to prison. According to a detective, “It [the letter] indicated he would not go to OSR [Ohio State Reformatory]. He indicated he would no longer like to be around.”

In his letter to Ms. Brooks, Layfield blamed her for his actions. The letter stated, “So this could all have been prevented if you would have done two things, love me honestly and not lied to me and loved Joseph honestly and not pretended you loved him so much.”

Layfield attempted to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. However, two psychologists stated he was clearly sane at the time of the murder. Dr. James Sunbury’s report stated, “Based on Mr. Layfield’s current test results and interviews and based on witness statements and Mr. Layfield’s note that he wrote about the time of the crime, it is my opinion that he was not suffering from any mental disease or defect so severe as to make him unable to know right from wrong in this regard.”

Facing a wealth of evidence, Layfield accepted a plea deal and pled guilty to a lesser charge of murder. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Poor Rehabilitation

Since his incarceration, Ricky Layfield’s rehabilitation efforts have been far less than stellar. He has had a variety of offenses while in prison, including disobedience, disrespect and contraband. His 2009 parole board records list his institutional conduct and programming as “fair.” In the most recent records from 2014, the parole board states, “He admits his behavior, but has done nothing to prepare for release. He has no programs completed and he continues to get tickets for minor violations. Given the nature of his offense, his lack of release preparation and his continued conduct, he is not suitable for release”