By Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 14, 2010
TAMPA — Brendan Lee Terry will spend 30 years in prison for his role in the grisly murder of Robert Brewer, according to a plea deal he agreed to Thursday afternoon.
Officials say that Terry, 20, and his roommate Kasey Ackerman, 21, repeatedly stabbed Brewer, 26, threw him in a trash bin and set him on fire the night of May 3.
On Thursday, Terry pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. He also pleaded guilty to kidnapping.
Terry had initially been charged with first-degree murder, and would have faced a minimum of life in prison. The state was seeking the death penalty.
Court records state that Terry talked to Brewer as he lay bleeding in a bathtub and told him to say his prayers.
Terry's case will not go to trial because he took the plea deal. He still could be subpoenaed to testify at his co-defendants trial, said Circuit Judge William Fuente.
Terry's roommate Randy Morris was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping Tuesday morning, said assistant state attorney Sean Keefe.
Ackerman still faces a charge of first-degree murder, for which the state is seeking the death penalty.
Brewer's mother hopes the state will continue to pursue the death penalty in Ackerman's case, she said outside the courtroom Tuesday.
She and several other family members said they're upset that Terry will spend only 30 years in prison.
"I have to go to the cemetery to visit my son now," she said. "I'll never be able to hear his voice, be able to hear him say, 'I love you, mama.' "