Defense rests in Brandon Bradley trial

Man charged with murder in death of Brevard Deputy Barbara Pill

Brandon Bradley ws sentenced to death for the shooting death of Brevard County Deputy Barbara Pill.

VIERA, Fla. – Closing arguments are set to begin Tuesday in the murder trial of Brandon Bradley, who's accused of murder in the slaying of Brevard County sheriff's Deputy Barbara Pill.

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Bradley told a judge on Monday that he will not testify. The defense then resumed its case and rested just before 1:30 p.m.

Rebuttal witnesses were called to testify on behalf of the state Monday afternoon. Closing arguments are set to begin on Tuesday morning.

On Friday, the jury was dismissed around 11 a.m. after the defense interviewed a toxicologist. 

The toxicologist, Dr. Susan Skolly, said marijuana can influence risk-taking behavior, prompting an objection from the state and a sidebar conference with the judge.  The defense previously discussed Bradley's drugged state at the time of the shooting, which occurred during a traffic stop in March 2012.

Skolly later said she twice interviewed Bradley and watched video of his interview with police investigators.  She said Bradley started smoking pot at the age of 12 and believes he's addicted to the drug.  Skolly added that she believes Bradley was smoking about 10 blunts per day and taking Xanax leading up to the shooting.

It's possible closing arguments could begin as early as Tuesday.

Last Thursday, the state closed its case in chief against Bradley with evidence of his finger on the trigger of the murder weapon. Their last witness was an FDLE analyst who said she found DNA that matched Bradley's on the grips and trigger of the alleged murder weapon, a .40-caliber Glock 27.

Earlier in the day, the state called a woman to testify who said she saw Brandon Bradley with the gun in the months before the shooting.

Amanda Ozburn confirmed that in the past that she heard Bradley say: "If I ever get pulled over they're going to have to hold court in the streets because I'm going out like a soldier."

But Ozburn said she couldn't recall hearing that remark. She said she did cocaine the morning she gave that statement. She said her statement wasn't credible.

After the state rested, the defense made a motion for acquittal on two of Bradley's four charges. They argued the two witnesses who testified that the shooting was premeditated aren't reliable. The judge denied the motion.


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