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Accused Killer Nicholas Brooks in Plea Deal Talks

By DNAinfo Staff on June 21, 2011 1:39pm  | Updated on June 21, 2011 1:43pm

By Shayna Jacobs

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — The man accused of murdering his swimsuit designer girlfriend at the upscale SoHo House hotel is apparently considering a plea deal just one month after his father's suicide.

Nicholas Brooks, 25, is charged with strangling and drowning  Sylvie Cachay, 33. She was found dead in a bathtub at the Meatpacking District hotel on Dec. 9.

A lawyer for the victim's family, Susan Karten, said Brooks is considering confessing to the crime. He appeared before Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Bonnie Wittner late Tuesday morning.  

"My understanding is that there are ongoing plea discussions," Karten said, adding there will be a better indication about whether or not he will plead guilty at his next court date on September 19.

Brooks' father, Joseph, who was also awaiting trial after being accused of rape, committed suicide last month.

The 72-year-old songwriter, most famous for the 1970s hit "You Light Up My Life," allegedly took advantage of dozens of women who came to his apartment for purported "auditions."

Karten said the family will fight to make sure the younger Brooks does not receive the $5,000 to $6,000 in royalties his father was receiving from the hit song per month.

She said it is unclear what part of the elder Brooks' estate was set to go to the son.

A guilty plea or conviction against Brooks would allow the Cachay family to take civil action against him and his father's estate, the lawyer said.