In a handwritten letter sent to Judge Bart Stanley, the teen accused of gunning down a Mt. Leo man during a botched robbery attempt says he is ready to accept 25 years in prison and save the state the trouble of trying him for murder.
“I made a terrible mistake,” admits Sam Brinkley, 18, in a handwritten letter reportedly sent from his jail cell asking the court to consider a no-contest plea from him.
“It would stop all proceedings and loss to the state,” said Brinkley, noting the state would save money by offering him a deal. “I’m at the mercy of the court.”
Brinkley soberly admitted his young age is no excuse for what happened.
“Young and dumb won’t fix this, but I live with it every day and I am very sorry,” Brinkley said, signing his name to the bottom of the handwritten document that is now part of his official case file.
Brinkley faces life in prison for killing Oswaldo Luna, 43, in January after he and friends went to the victim’s trailer with plans to rob him of marijuana. Evidence, which includes statements from his five codefendants and his own confession, reveal Brinkley opened fire as soon as he stepped inside the small trailer, killing Luna who was asleep. Brinkley told officers he panicked and started shooting.
Brinkley is charged with murder along with five other youths, most of whom, like Brinkley, were juveniles when the crime happened. The plan to rob Luna was hatched at Coffee County High School earlier that day. All six participants are being tried as adults.
As a result of evidence that points to Brinkley as the trigger man, Brinkley filed his jailhouse motion, offering to plea to a lesser count which would put him in the 25-year range in sentencing.