Black Muslims
Ballistics link keeps actor behind bars
By Ken Raymond
Staff Writer
Alfred Brooks almost got out of prison in 1988. Then 35, he was the lead writer and actor for The OK D.O.C. Players, a drama troupe that performed for Oklahoma schools. His work there so impressed the state parole board chairman that he brought Brooks up for parole two years earlier than expected. That's when Norman police unveiled previously secret evidence. Ballistics examiners had linked the double-shooting for which Brooks was convicted to three other fatal shootings. Parole hasn't really been a possibility since then, said Joe Long, 56, who befriended Brooks as a volunteer prison chaplain more than 20 years ago. Long and his wife, Doobie Potter, think Brooks has been something of a scapegoat. They do not believe he shot anyone, although they acknowledge he committed other crimes and was present during the 1974 shootings of two women. One died. "It was black-on-white crime, and it was the 70s,” said Potter, 62, a state artist-in-residence who directed the prison drama troupe. "Alfred didn't have money for a good lawyer, and they had to prosecute someone.” Brooks declined two interview requests. "You really would be amazed,” Long said of Brooks. "He is very soft-spoken. He is intelligent. ... He uses the wrong words at times because he's self-taught. He's a good-looking guy, like a black Elvis in a way.” Long said Brooks has not joined any prison gangs and long ago turned his back on the Nation of Islam. "Every time I talk to him, he's got hope,” Long said. "He's not giving up.” Neither are police. "I think Brooks is probably our top suspect,” said Norman police Detective Jim Parks. If he was involved in the other slayings, he needs to face justice, police said. "It's important for the families,” said Norman police Lt. Gary Shelton. "And just for the victims themselves. They deserve it.”
Staff Writer
Alfred Brooks almost got out of prison in 1988. Then 35, he was the lead writer and actor for The OK D.O.C. Players, a drama troupe that performed for Oklahoma schools. His work there so impressed the state parole board chairman that he brought Brooks up for parole two years earlier than expected. That's when Norman police unveiled previously secret evidence. Ballistics examiners had linked the double-shooting for which Brooks was convicted to three other fatal shootings. Parole hasn't really been a possibility since then, said Joe Long, 56, who befriended Brooks as a volunteer prison chaplain more than 20 years ago. Long and his wife, Doobie Potter, think Brooks has been something of a scapegoat. They do not believe he shot anyone, although they acknowledge he committed other crimes and was present during the 1974 shootings of two women. One died. "It was black-on-white crime, and it was the 70s,” said Potter, 62, a state artist-in-residence who directed the prison drama troupe. "Alfred didn't have money for a good lawyer, and they had to prosecute someone.” Brooks declined two interview requests. "You really would be amazed,” Long said of Brooks. "He is very soft-spoken. He is intelligent. ... He uses the wrong words at times because he's self-taught. He's a good-looking guy, like a black Elvis in a way.” Long said Brooks has not joined any prison gangs and long ago turned his back on the Nation of Islam. "Every time I talk to him, he's got hope,” Long said. "He's not giving up.” Neither are police. "I think Brooks is probably our top suspect,” said Norman police Detective Jim Parks. If he was involved in the other slayings, he needs to face justice, police said. "It's important for the families,” said Norman police Lt. Gary Shelton. "And just for the victims themselves. They deserve it.”
