Probation was revoked Wednesday morning in Todd Circuit Court for one of the suspects convicted for her role in the shooting death of Jerry Robertson on State Line Road near Allensville in September of 2018.
Twenty-seven-year-old Brandi Scruggs of Russellville pled guilty in October to first-degree wanton endangerment and received a five-year probated sentence. She admitted to driving Robertson on the day in question and to pulling the car over so that her co-defendants in a pickup following her could confront Robertson about Facebook posts they all wanted deleted. She also claimed Robertson pulled a gun from his clothes and fired the first shots.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ashley Farmer told Judge Joe Hendricks that Scruggs has violated conditions of her probation in multiple ways, including going to the restaurant where Robertson’s mother works to contact her.
Defense attorney Jason Holland said Scruggs doesn’t deny her violations, but was requesting enrollment in a drug rehab program instead of prison time.
Judge Hendricks revoked Scruggs’ probation, ordering her to serve her five-year sentence, though he will request she be enrolled in the substance abuse program while incarcerated.
She was also given another court date for a December 27 arrest in Logan County for meth possession and tampering with evidence.
The alleged shooter in the case, Daniel Westbrook, also appeared in court Wednesday.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Neil Kerr says fingerprint evidence testing is still pending at the State Crime Lab, but he’s been assured it will be ready before the March 18 trial. Attorney Nate Beard requested a February 19 court date to review the status of the evidence and case, which was granted.
Westbrook is charged with murder and possession of a handgun by a felon.
Douglas Cropper, Faith Martin and Timmie Latham all accepted deals similar to Scruggs with five-year probated sentences.