Prosecutors in Fla. to pursue death penalty against Brandon Bradley for deadly shooting of deputy Barbara Pill

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter

Andria Kerchner and Brandon Bradley

/ Brevard County Sheriff's Department

(CBS/AP) MELBOURNE, Fla. - Prosecutors say they intend to pursue the death penalty for the suspected shooter in the slaying of central Florida deputy Barbara Pill.

The suspects in the shooting, 19-year-old Andria Kerchner and 22-year-old Brandon Bradley, face multiple charges including first-degree murder. They appeared in court on Wednesday.

"My office is working with investigators to vigorously pursue justice for this crime. Based upon the information already received, I will be instructing the assigned prosecutors to pursue the death penalty against [Bradley]," said State Attorney Norman Wolfinger in a statement, reports local station WDBO.

Kerchner's mother Pamela says she's devastated by the slaying.

Pamela Kerchner told Florida Today her family knew Pill, who was fatally shot Tuesday morning. She told the newspaper her daughter has had minor run-ins with the law but she's "not a monster."

Andria Kerchner and Bradley were arrested shortly after the shooting.

Pill, a Brevard County Sheriff's deputy and a 52-year-old grandmother whose sons also found careers in law enforcement, was killed after she stopped a car which had been implicated in the theft of furniture at an Econolodge motel, reports CBS Miami.

Authorities say the suspects were fleeing a motel burglary when Pill stopped them. The deputy was shot when she ordered them out of the vehicle.

CBS affiliate WKMG reports that Bradley is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, robbery with a deadly weapon and failure to appear warrants for possession of a firearm by a felon, sale of cocaine, carrying a concealed firearm and resisting arrest. Bradley also was arrested on violation of probation warrants for robbery, possession of cocaine, burglary and grand theft.

Meanwhile, Kerchner is accused of robbery with a deadly weapon, first-degree felony murder and a warrant for the sale of a controlled substance.

Friends say 52-year-old Pill had a passion for helping others. They say that quality led her to a law enforcement career.

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by shortjunk June 24, 2012 8:39 PM EDT: I LOVE IT WHEN WHITE TRASH RACE TRADERS GET THEIR DUE. HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR JAIL CELL UNTIL THE EXECUTION! YOU AND YOUR APE CAN ROT IN HELL; Reply to this comment


by junglebat April 6, 2012 5:51 PM EDT: look at that sub human feral ape. why are humans forced to live with these animals. savage hoodrats that's all they are. give it a trial convict it and then take the ape out and hang it by the neck until it is dead and leave the monkey carcass hanging until it rots; Reply to this comment


by branamme March 14, 2012 8:35 AM EDT: Pamela- I know that Andria is as big a monster as is Brandon- they both deserve the death penalty- they both deserve the harshest punishment that is allowed- all this for furniture from a hotel... freaking furniture makes it okay to shoot numerous times a police officer- think not- sorry I know she is your daughter but she in not innocent.; Reply to this comment


by bgib1 March 9, 2012 11:00 PM EST: Wait, the shooter is black? WOW! this almost never happens... i can't fathom how an african american male would shoot a police officer.... african american males have a bad reputation...?; Reply to this comment


by joekcitizen March 8, 2012 2:28 PM EST: Lay off poor Mom. The girl is 19 and I'm sure she does a lot of things her mom doesn't know about, like we all did. And I'm sure Mom truly is devastated.; Reply to this comment


by caljack430 March 8, 2012 10:50 AM EST: This sounds like a bit more than a 'minor run-in with the law' mom... just a little bit. if your daughter is committing armed robberies and you are either not aware of it but still claim to be part of her life or ignored it... your parenting is the crime here.; Reply to this comment