One of three young men accused of murdering three teens last year is working to resolve unrelated charges.
On Monday, Tahj Demarcus Brewton pleaded no contest to charges of carjacking while armed and tampering with electronic monitoring device. This was an open plea, meaning Circuit Judge Robert Hodges will impose sentence with no plea bargain terms in place for consideration. Brewton could receive up to 30 years in prison.
Two other charges, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft of a motor vehicle, were merged into the carjacking offense, according to court filings. Several other charges he faced, including grand theft of a motor vehicle, were terminated.
Shackled, and wearing a red and white jail uniform, Brewton stood beside his attorney, Evan Gardiner of Smith & Eulo in Orlando, during Monday’s hearing. Gardiner told the judge the defense seeks a pre-sentence investigation. A date hasn’t been set for Brewton’s sentencing. Brewton did not have any family or friends present in court.