BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A hearing will be held in September to determine whether two suspects accused in the killing of Brevard County Sheriff's Deputy Barbara Pill will face the death penalty.
Local 6 news partner Florida Today reports at a hearing on Thursday, the state did not waive its right to seek the death penalty in its cases against 23-year-old Brandon Bradley and 20-year-old Andria Kerchner.
Recommended Videos
The suspects were not present at the proceeding.
The defense estimated that the trial could take as long as six weeks. The judge and prosecution expressed hope the trial would be held in Brevard County.
The defense proposed a January 27 trial date, which the state did not oppose.
Police say Bradley shot Pill multiple times after being pulled over in his vehicle by Pill after authorities received a tip that the duo had stolen some items from a Melbourne Econo Lodge. Following that, Bradley led police on a chase, with Kerchner as his passenger, until authorities were able to stop the vehicle and arrest the suspects.
Bradley faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, robbery with a deadly weapon, failure of warrants for possession of a firearm by a felon, sale of cocaine, carrying a concealed firearm and resisting arrest along with a violation of probation for robbery, possession of cocaine, burglary and grand theft.
Kerchner faces charges of robbery with a deadly weapon, first-degree felony murder and a warrant for the sale of a controlled substance.