Yesterday (Mar 14), Brandi GEORGE (40) entered a plea of guilty to Manslaughter (F2) and Trafficking Amphetamine or Methamphetamine (F1) and was sentenced by Circuit Judge David Koenig to five (5) years in prison, followed by five (5) years of supervised drug offender probation, and ordered to pay $552.22 in fines and court costs, along with future funeral expenses. GEORGE received credit for 687 days of time served.

 

On March 14, 2019, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office responded to Lindsay Ave. in Cocoa after a 9-11 call that James Nelson (32) was having difficultly breathing. Nelson was transported to a hospital and later died from his injuries. A subsequent investigation established that GEORGE had shot Nelson with a pump style pellet rifle during a verbal argument. GEORGE claimed she acted in self-defense when Nelson threatened her. A trafficking amount of methamphetamine was also found by deputies at the scene.

 

Plea negotiations began as both sides prepared for a defense demand for speedy trial. At issue was the defendant's claim of acting in self-defense, and her use of a pellet rifle evidencing a lack of intent to cause Nelson's death. When GEORGE agreed to accept responsibility for the killing of Nelson, the expenses associated with his funeral, as well as the trafficking amounts of drugs found in her home, prosecutors met with Nelson family members and our law enforcement partners to obtain their input prior to reaching a resolution. 

 

Our prosecutors work hard on behalf of victims and survivors, aggressively prosecuting these cases. We also place great importance on the concerns of those affected by tragedy, including the desire for resolution and closure. This plea agreement represents their desire, and ours, for justice on behalf of James Nelson. It also seeks to protect the community by providing incarceration, rehabilitation, and supervised accountability.