A Polk County jury is hearing evidence this week in the capital murder trial of Tony “TJ” Wiggins, the man accused of gunning down three friends during a night fishing trip near Frostproof more than six years ago. Wiggins, now facing three counts of first-degree murder, is also charged with tampering with physical evidence and being a felon in possession of a weapon, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if he is convicted.
The case dates back to July 2020, when 23-year-old Damion Tillman, 30-year-old Keven Springfield, and 27-year-old Brandon Rollins were ambushed along Lake Streety Road in Frostproof while heading out for a night of catfishing, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. The three men were longtime local friends, and their deaths shook the small Polk County community. As reported by FOX 13 News, jury selection wrapped up the week before the trial began, and the proceedings are expected to last five weeks.
According to FOX 13 News, prosecutors say Wiggins, Springfield, Tillman, and Rollins were all at the same Frostproof Dollar General store shortly before the killings, and store security footage placed Wiggins at the scene. Investigators say Wiggins overheard the group discussing their destination, then followed them alongside his brother and girlfriend. Detectives say receipts recovered at Wiggins’ trailer tied him to the store visit, and forensic testing matched ammunition found at his home to rounds fired at the scene.
A Grudge Over a Stolen Engine
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has said investigators believe Wiggins held a grudge against Springfield over a stolen truck engine, and that Wiggins began shooting Springfield and Rollins inside their white truck. Per the sheriff’s account relayed by FOX 13 News, Judd estimated Wiggins fired nine to 10 shots between the two men. Brandon Rollins’ father, Cyril Rollins, has said he reached the scene while his son was still dying, and that Brandon called him crying for help after the attack, according to the same FOX 13 News report…