Brevard County Grand Jury Issues Three

First-degree Murder Indictments in Two Separate Cases

            The Brevard County Grand Jury issued first-degree murder indictments today (Nov. 19) against Lance Berning, 45, Leesburg; Joseph Howard Milman, 25, Satellite Beach; and, Justin Dee Howard, 17, Indialantic. 

            The Grand Jury indicted Berning on one count each of first-degree felony murder and kidnapping in connection with the death of Jennifer Hedges in October. Hedges’ body was found in the Indian River near Titusville. Berning has been held in the Brevard County jail without bond since his arrest Oct. 17, said Assistant State Attorney Michael Hunt.

            In that case, the Grand Jury heard from the Brevard County Medical Examiner, a Brevard County sheriff’s agent and a crime scene investigator, and one lay witness. 

            Joseph Milman and Justin Howard were both indicted on first-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree felony murder while causing great bodily harm, and home-invasion robbery while causing great bodily harm or death for the Oct. 19 death of Scott Wade Hyatt in Indialantic. Howard, who was arrested as a juvenile, was indicted as an adult.

            Assistant State Attorney Hunt said Milman faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. They were both arrested October 22.

            Testifying before the Grand Jury in that case were a Brevard County sheriff’s agent and two crime scene investigators, and a lay witness, Hunt said.

            Hunt said all three individuals are scheduled to go before the first appearance judge tomorrow (Thursday) at the Brevard County Jail. Howard will have been transferred from the juvenile detention facility by then, he said.