Suspect in Palm Bay Compound slayings rejects plea deal; case set for trial

J.D. Gallop and Eric Rogers, Florida Today
·2 min read
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One of the defendants facing murder charges in the Christmas Day slayings of two teens at an area in Palm Bay known as “The Compound” has rejected a plea deal that would have saved him from a potential life sentence if he is convicted.

Jamarcus Simpson, 18, rejected the offer from prosecutors in court Friday, telling Brevard Circuit Court Judge Steve Henderson he would take his chances at trial.

"Have you had enough time to discuss the plea offer with your family?" Henderson asked Simpson just before he turned down the deal, which would have capped his prison sentence at 20 years.

More: Quest for justice drove Palm Bay police investigation into teen killings at The Compound

Simpson would have been able to plea that sentence down under Florida's Youthful Offender statute, Assistant State Attorney Kari Kies told the court. The law gives additional options to defendants convicted of crimes committed under the age of 21.

He gave up that right when he rejected the plea, making him eligible for the maximum penalty of life in prison, Kies told the court.

Yellow crime scene tape marks off an area near the intersection Angora St. SW and Camilo Circle. The compound is located in the southwestern area of Palm Bay and is is an undeveloped area of 12.2 square miles made up of palmettos, pepper trees, wax myrtles and a criss-cross of roads.
Yellow crime scene tape marks off an area near the intersection Angora St. SW and Camilo Circle. The compound is located in the southwestern area of Palm Bay and is is an undeveloped area of 12.2 square miles made up of palmettos, pepper trees, wax myrtles and a criss-cross of roads.

Simpson and his co-defendant, Juan Shuren, 17, are charged with premeditated murder in the first degree in connection with the Dec. 25, 2022, shooting deaths of Jeremiah Brown, 14, and Travon Anthony, 16. Both Simpson and Shuren were indicted by the grand jury in January. Simpson was 17 at the time of the shootings.

The bodies of the teens were discovered in the abandoned development. Palm Bay police detectives worked on the case for 13 months, with forensic experts, the medical examiner's office and others.

Simpson's attorney, Christopher Beres, defended his client Friday, telling FLORIDA TODAY Simpson suffered from a mental disability.

More: How we got here: Story of Compound killings was reported over many twists, turns

"Jamarcus was not the killer," Beres said before the hearing. "If this case were to go to trial, there is no admissible evidence that he killed those two teens at the Compound."

Simpson and Shuren are being tried separately. Simpson’s attorneys had pressed for a speedy trial, with jury selection scheduled to begin on Monday. Opening arguments were likely to begin April 1.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Suspect in deadly Palm Bay Compound shootings rejects plea deal