A routine calendar call in a Pasadena courtroom on Wednesday carried the weight of a high-profile killing, as a local man accused of murdering the younger brother of Lakers great Michael Cooper appeared before a judge. Prosecutors say 64-year-old Mickey Cooper was gunned down at Washington Park in November 2023, found by officers with multiple gunshot wounds. The latest court appearance is one more procedural move in what authorities describe as a brief but brutal streak of shootings last fall.
Hearing to Set Preliminary Date
The hearing, set for 8:30 a.m. in Department H of the Pasadena Courthouse, was scheduled to lock in a date for Conell’s preliminary hearing, according to Pasadena Now. Prosecutors have charged him with one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He has entered a not guilty plea, and authorities say he remains in custody on roughly $4.25 million bail.
Prosecutors' Timeline
According to prosecutors, the violence tied to the case did not begin with the fatal shooting. They allege that on Oct. 29, 2023, a man was shot in the neck at Washington Park, followed by a Nov. 5 incident in which a gun was allegedly pointed at a man at a Pasadena gas station, before the Nov. 18 killing of Mickey Cooper, the Los Angeles Times reports. If convicted on all counts, Conell faces more than 50 years to life in prison, according to the Times. For earlier coverage of the killing and community reaction, see Pasadena plunged into grief.
Police Account
Pasadena detectives say they arrested Conell less than 24 hours after the fatal shooting and recovered a loaded 9‑millimeter handgun they believe was used in the attacks. Investigators say they have found no apparent connection between Conell and any of the alleged victims. Lt. Keith Gomez told reporters that the suspect appeared to have acted without a clear motive and described him as "diabolically evil," according to Pasadena Now. Police say the case was handled by the department’s Robbery-Homicide Unit, with assistance from federal task forces.
Family Reaction
In the days after the killing, Michael Cooper, a five-time NBA champion who grew up just blocks from Washington Park, spoke publicly about his brother and the loss, according to ABC7. He described Mickey as a gentle man who struggled with addiction. "We lived 10 houses down," Cooper told reporters, explaining that his brother often slept at the park because it felt like a safe place to him. Cooper thanked police for their work on the case and urged anyone with information to step forward.
What Comes Next
The preliminary-setting hearing will determine whether the district attorney has enough evidence to move Conell toward a full preliminary hearing and, if a judge agrees, ultimately a trial. The combination of the criminal counts and the high bail means Conell faces the possibility of decades in state prison if convicted, according to the Los Angeles Times. Over the coming weeks, defense and prosecution attorneys are expected to argue over discovery and scheduling as the court calendar fills out.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS, according to ABC7. The court file remains active, with additional hearings expected as the case moves through Los Angeles County Superior Court.
