A Florida businessman has been convicted of first-degree murder after shooting an unarmed young man to death during a confrontation outside his Key West property. Lloyd Preston Brewer III, aged 60, was found guilty by a Monroe County Circuit Court jury for the killing of 21-year-old Garrett Hughes, whose father coaches the local high school football team.
Fatal Confrontation After Super Bowl
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of February 13, 2023, following Super Bowl celebrations at the Conch Town Liquor & Lounge. Security footage revealed that Hughes, who had been drinking at the establishment, left the bar shortly after 12:30am and urinated against the wall of a nearby parking lot.
Brewer, who owns the small shopping centre containing the bar though not the business itself, confronted Hughes about the urination. After an initial verbal exchange where Brewer walked away, he returned to the confrontation with his hand on his holstered firearm.
Contested Self-Defence Claim
During police interrogation and subsequent trial proceedings, Brewer maintained he had acted in self-defence under Florida's 'stand your ground' provisions. He claimed Hughes approached him aggressively and appeared to be reaching for something in his waistband, prompting Brewer to fear for his life.
'I stood my ground... I feared for my life,' Brewer told investigators, asserting he warned Hughes he was armed before the shooting occurred. The defendant claimed he fired twice, with the second shot discharging into the air as Hughes nearly reached him.
Evidence Contradicts Defendant's Account
Prosecutors presented compelling evidence that undermined Brewer's self-defence narrative. Security footage and witness testimony revealed crucial details about the confrontation's escalation.
Chief Assistant Monroe County State Attorney Joseph Mansfield emphasised that Brewer had multiple opportunities to disengage from the situation. Instead, the businessman chose to return armed and assume a firing stance with two hands on his weapon before shooting Hughes once in the torso.
'Lloyd Brewer had the opportunity to disengage but chose instead to return to the confrontation armed and use deadly force,' Mansfield stated following the verdict.
Jury Rejects Defence Arguments
After just five hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously rejected Brewer's account of events, finding him guilty of premeditated murder. The panel determined the shooting represented a deliberate escalation rather than legitimate self-defence.
Major Crimes Assistant State Prosecutor Colleen Dunne commented: 'This case showed a conscious and deliberate decision to escalate a confrontation into deadly violence.'
Dunne praised the witnesses who testified, acknowledging the difficulty of participating in a murder trial. 'Their courage, combined with clear video evidence and thorough investigative work, ensured that justice was done for Garrett Hughes,' she added.
Victim's Background and Aftermath
Garrett Hughes, the 21-year-old victim, was the son of John Hughes, who coaches football at the local high school. Following the shooting, Hughes' friends rushed to his aid and transported him to Lower Keys Medical Center, where he subsequently died from his injuries.
Brewer's defence attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, has indicated plans to appeal the conviction, arguing that the trial judge failed to properly instruct the jury. Despite this planned appeal, Brewer now faces a mandatory life imprisonment sentence for his first-degree murder conviction.
The case has drawn significant attention in the Florida Keys community, highlighting tensions between property owners and public behaviour, while also scrutinising the application of self-defence laws in confrontational situations.
