Jesse Brooks is requesting a new trial, just a week after a jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit murder for his role in the murder-for-hire killing of Jack Reid, of Derry.

Defense lawyers are claiming key testimony against Brooks, 32, formerly of Londonderry, did not support the jury’s guilty verdict.

The request, filed late yesterday, became public this morning in Rockingham County Superior Court.

Most of the request takes aim at the testimony of Brooks’ once-close friend, Michael Benton, 33, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and testified against his co-conspirators in the case.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Janice Rundles said this morning a response is being prepared to the request. She declined to comment further.

Reid, 57, of Derry, was kidnapped and bludgeoned to death inside a Deerfield horse barn on June 27, 2005 at the hands of three men, including Brooks’ father – millionaire businessman John “Jay” Brooks.

Brooks’ son is convicted of helping his father -- and friends who were hired in the murder-for-hire -- then later making cash payouts to a man promised $10,000 for the killing.

Defense lawyer Peter Anderson wrote in his request that Benton’s testimony, at times, contradicted the state’s theory that Jesse Brooks joined in the plan to murder Reid in November 2003.

John Brooks, now serving life in prison for capital murder, began soliciting men to kill Reid on Sept. 30, 2003, claiming Reid was responsible for the theft of two moving trucks he was hired to load with Brooks family belongings.

Prosecutors say Reid had no role in the theft.

Defense lawyers also attacked the credibility of one-on-one conversations Jesse Brooks had with Benton and another man convicted in the murder, Joseph Vrooman, 53, of Las Vegas.

The only direct evidence linking Brooks to the murder plot came from Benton and Vrooman, testimony the defense describes as “uncorroborated and untrustworthy,” according to Anderson’s court filing.

During closing arguments in the case, prosecutors said the accounts told by Benton and Vrooman remained consistent with one another, despite the two having no contact with one another after being arrested and jailed.

Defense lawyers are asking Judge Tina Nadeau to either order a new trial or hold a hearing on the matter.

Brooks is to be sentenced on Feb. 12. He faces a potential 15 to 30 years in state prison.