Murder conspiracy hearing reset

ALAMOSA—Alamosa County Judge Daniel Walzl on Monday continued the preliminary hearing for Brian Cooper, 24, Alamosa, charged in connection with the June 23, 2016 death of Floyd Dale McBride, 52.

At the request of Cooper’s attorney the judge continued the preliminary hearing until Thursday, May 18.

Cooper’s attorney said he had received a few pages of discovery from the district attorney’s office but understood there were quite a few more pages, which he would expect to receive and would need to review before the preliminary hearing. The evidence included text messages related to Cooper’s case.

Cooper is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault in connection with McBride’s death last summer. Cooper’s father Lonnie Cooper, 43, is the primary suspect in the shooting that ultimately resulted in McBride’s death. Other Cooper family members have been charged in the case as have other defendants who were allegedly present or somehow involved the day of McBride’s death.

Lonnie Cooper allegedly shot McBride in retaliation for McBride’s stabbing of Brian Cooper who was treated for the stabbing at the Alamosa hospital earlier on the day Lonnie Cooper allegedly shot McBride.

Brian Cooper has another pending criminal case that was also continued to the May 18 date.

Brian Cooper remains in custody.