$5M bond for Cleveland ex-con charged in girl's death

1/23/2014

Geoffrey Gurkovich waits to be arraigned before a judge Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, in Cleveland. Gurkovich is charged with aggravated murder in the Cleveland shooting of a 5-year-old girl. Gurkovich's bond was set at $5 million. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND  — Bond has been set at $5 million for an ex-con charged in the Cleveland death of a 5-year-old girl who was shot in the head while sitting in a vehicle with her mother.

Geoffrey Gurkovich appeared today in Municipal Court on an aggravated murder charge. An attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and the judge sent the case to felony court.

The 32-year-old Cleveland man is accused of killing Jermani Brooks, who was shot Sunday. Her mother was wounded and hospitalized in fair condition.

Police allege Gurkovich intended to shoot a man who got into an argument with his girlfriend. They say Jermani apparently was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Relatives planned a vigil today, on what would have been Jermani’s sixth birthday.