Family says either trial or plea outcome OK

By Theresa Novak

Gazette-Times City Editor

The parents of Brooke Wilberger issued a carefully worded message Wednesday indicating their confidence in Benton County prosecutors, their intent to remain silent - and a hint that a negotiated plea would be agreeable to them in the trial of the man accused of murdering their missing daughter.

Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson said that, acting at the Wilbergers' request, he released the message to two newspapers - the Gazette-Times and the Wilbergers' hometown newspaper, the Register-Guard in Eugene, in the hope that it would then reach the media outlets that have requested interviews with Greg and Cammy Wilberger of Veneta. He did not ask them for the statement, he said.

The statement reads:

"We have had several requests for comments since the extradition of Joel Courtney from New Mexico, where he pleaded guilty to abduction and assault of another young woman. Because the criminal proceedings in Benton County have begun for Mr. Courtney, we have not felt it was an appropriate time to make any comments which specifically relate to the case.

"We appreciate all of the efforts made to ensure Mr. Courtney is held to answer for Brooke's murder, and we plan to be involved at every stage of the proceedings.

"Although these are challenging circumstances for any family to endure, we understand there is a necessary sequence of events which must take place before the case is resolved. The Benton County District Attorney's office has kept us fully informed during the New Mexico proceedings and they continue to keep us informed of their actions in Brooke's case.

"We remain committed to the recovery of Brooke's remains, and fully support the Benton County District Attorney's efforts to do so within a reasonable period of time.

"In a criminal case, there can be a fully contested trial, and there can be a negotiated resolution. We completely support the Benton County District Attorney's Office in their approach to the case, whether through trial or a timely negotiated resolution."

Private people, the Wilbergers were forced into the public eye after their 19-year-old daughter, Brooke, disappeared May 24, 2004, from a Corvallis apartment complex parking lot a few days into her summer break from Brigham Young University. No one has heard from her since, and she is presumed dead.

Janitorial supervisor Joel Patrick Courtney, 41, was indicted in April on 14 counts aggravated murder, two counts of kidnapping and single counts of rape, sodomy and sexual abuse in connection with Wilberger's disappearance. Courtney had been charged in 2005 with the crimes while facing charges in New Mexico on a separate kidnapping and rape case, for which he was convicted.

Also in April, Courtney was charged in connection with the unrelated kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, attempted rape, attempted sodomy and attempted murder of two Oregon State University students on the same day that Wilberger went missing.

Courtney remains without bail at the Benton County Jail. Haroldson has said he will seek the death penalty against Courtney, but Courtney's trial is not expected to begin for several years.

Haroldson said Wednesday that he had not advised the Wilbergers regarding the statement but said he would release similar statements in the future if the Wilbergers issued them.

Related

• Without body, state must prove death
• Witness adds new Courtney allegation
• D.A.: Effort continues on recovery of Brooke Wilberger's remains