Information from WYSH Radio
One man pleaded guilty to reduced charges in an August 2011 robbery that ended with one man being shot dead while his brother—the accused gunman—backed out of a plea deal and will stand trial next year.
On Wednesday, James Brooms, 24, entered a best-interest plea to facilitation to commit second-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
His brother, 23-year-old Brandon Brooms, had agreed to plea last week but backed out during Wednesday’s hearing. He will be tried on charges of first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in 2014.
The incident occurred on Aug. 8, 2011, when the brothers and a third man, Bronx Washington,who is now 19, went to the apartment of 22-year-old Antonio “Tony” Phillips, from whom one of the men had purchased marijuana earlier in the day. After Phillips sold marijuana to Brandon Brooms and Washington, police and prosecutors say that Brooms pulled a gun and demanded Phillips give him the jar full of pot.
A struggle ensued, during which Phillips was shot in the leg by a round that struck his femoral artery. He died from blood loss.
As the men fled the apartment, Phillips’ roommate fought with Washington, who ended up getting shot in the hand by James Brooms when he came back into to the apartment. Washington is free on bond but is facing charges stemming from this case.
Information in this story brought to you through an agreement between Oak Ridge Today and WYSH. See more local news headlines on the WYSH website at http://www.wyshradio.com/local_news.html.
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