2023-04-27 00:59:56
KEY WEST, Fla. – The attorney for Key West business owner Lloyd Preston Brewer III, accused of murdering former high school football player and mentor Garrett Hughes, on Wednesday requested hair samples from both Hughes and witnesses in the case. , seeking to prove the existence of drugs in their systems and erode the credibility of witnesses.
Prosecutors allege that Brewer, 57, shot and killed the 21-year-old shortly before 12:30 a.m. on February 13 after confronting a shirtless and unarmed Hughes about urinating behind the Conch Town Liquor & Lounge in 3340 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
The bar is a tenant of a multi-store building in the Searstown mall owned by Brewer and his family.
Brewer tried to claim self-defense after the shooting, but prosecutors said video evidence contradicts that claim. In interrogation footage obtained by Local 10 News, Brewer told Key West police detectives: “I stood my ground,” referring to the Stand Your Ground Act.
He couldn’t articulate what exactly it was that made him feel threatened.
In court on Wednesday, Brewer’s attorney, Chris Mancini, presented his argument for why the samples should be taken.
“It’s also going to be the interaction between Mr. Brewer and the other three gentlemen who caused the incident that exactly led to the actual shooting, their testimony whether they testify truthfully or not,” Mancini said.
Lawyers for the Hughes family said the hair samples were “totally irrelevant” in the case.
“Hair samples cannot pinpoint a date or time a substance was ingested,” attorney Jeffrey Weiner said.
At a later hearing on a civil suit, attorneys representing the victim’s family focused on something else Brewer said under police questioning, which they said indicated he wanted to move money.
They wanted a temporary injunction on their assets. The judge, however, said that he had not seen any evidence of a transfer of funds, so as of Wednesday, the motion to freeze the assets had been denied.
Another hearing has been set for May 12.
Related news:
Key West businessman says he ‘held his position’ by murdering a young man who urinated in his building
I just shot someone’: 911 calls and video of Key West businessman accused of murder published
Parents sue Key West businessman accused of murdering unarmed 21-year-old
No bail for Key West businessman accused of murdering unarmed 21-year-old
Key West businessman shoots and kills unarmed man urinating on building, prosecutor says
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