Trial date set for woman accused of trying to run down ex-husband

A trial date was set Tuesday for a woman accused of using a sport utility vehicle to run down her ex-husband and another man.

Valerie A. Brooks, 46, of 914 Old Cape Road, was scheduled for a bench trial before Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp at 1:30 p.m. June 28 on misdemeanor third-degree assault.

Prosecutors accuse Brooks of using her vehicle to strike both her ex-husband and a second man in the 1200 block of South Benton Street on the evening of May 11.

Her ex-husband, Christopher Brooks, was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released the same night. The second man was not seriously injured.

A felony second-degree domestic assault charge against Brooks was dropped by prosecutors Tuesday.

The charge alleging Valerie Brooks used her SUV to strike Christopher Brooks was dropped because the prosecuting attorney's office could not reach the complainant for subpoena, according to assistant prosecuting attorney Julie Hunter. The charge may be filed again later, she said.

Brooks, who appeared Tuesday, did not speak during her brief court hearing.