Opening Arguments Set to Begin Thursday in Conchtown Shooter Murder Trial
Opening statements are scheduled for Jan. 15 at the Monroe County Courthouse in Key West, following three days of jury selection.
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Jury selection for the Conchtown Shooter trial has concluded, and opening arguments will begin tomorrow, Thurs., Jan. 15, at 9:45 a.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse in Key West.
The shooter, Preston Brewer is accused in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Garrett Hughes.
Brewer — once a prominent Key West businessman — is charged with murder in connection with the shooting, which authorities say occurred during a late-night confrontation that escalated rapidly and ended with Hughes being shot and killed. Prosecutors allege Brewer intentionally fired the weapon, striking Hughes several times, causing fatal injuries.
The shooting was the result of a long day of drinking and partying for Brewer, following the Super Bowl in the early hours of Monday, Feb. 13, 2024.
Jury selection concluded Wednesday after three days, with a large number of prospective jurors excused after telling the court that prior media coverage of the case had affected their ability to remain impartial. Attorneys questioned dozens of potential jurors before a panel was seated.
The state is being represented by prosecutors Colleen Dunne (lead counsel) and Joe Mansfield. Brewer is represented by defense attorneys with criminal defense experts Jerry Ballarotto and Mark Catanzaro.
The defense have disputed the state’s account of the shooting and are expected to challenge witness testimony, forensic evidence, and the prosecution’s theory of intent when opening statements begin.
Sources close to the trial say that there have been no discussions of a plea deal.
According to court records and investigative reports, the shooting unfolded during an encounter in Key West that turned violent in a matter of moments. Hughes was pronounced dead after suffering several gunshot wounds.
Brewer confronted Hughes early in the morning in the rear parking lot of the now-defunct Conchtown Liquor and Lounge in New Town.
The former head of the Navy League owned the building which housed Conchtown Liquor and Lounge.
Videos obtained and reviewed by Above the Fold depict that Brewer saw Hughes urinating on a building adjacent to the parking lot. He approached Hughes, then retreated half-way into the parking lot before returning to the scene, pulling a gun and charging Hughes as he walked in between two parked cars.
Law-enforcement officers later recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting, and Brewer was arrested and charged. He has remained in custody as the case advanced through pretrial proceedings.
Although cash bail was set, Brewer attempted to provide his Key Haven home as collateral as well as a cash payment. That arrangement was denied by the presiding judge, Mark Jones.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from law-enforcement officers, forensic and medical experts, and civilian witnesses, along with evidence detailing the cause of death and the events leading up to the shooting.
Jurors are expected to hear sharply different accounts of whether the actions of the Conchtown Shooter were criminal.
If convicted, Brewer faces the possibility of a life sentence. The State has said they are not seeking the death penalty.
Above the Fold will provide live, gavel-to-gavel coverage from the third floor, Courtroom A, with proceedings streamed in real time on YouTube and Facebook.