Man sent to prison for role in West Valley City golf course slaying

SALT LAKE CITY — A 28-year-old man who, according to his attorney, had the "lowest" part in the shooting death of a man at a West Valley City golf course, was sentenced to prison Dec. 1.

Jeremiah H. Williamson was ordered by 3rd District Judge William Barrett to serve 15 years to life in prison for his role in the death of 18-year-old JoJo Brandstatt. He pleaded guilty to murder, a first-degree felony, in October.

"He took responsibility for the crime," defense attorney Clayton Simms said. "His part was the lowest of the co-defendants."

Williamson was one of four charged in connection with Brandstatt's death. Brandstatt was marched at gunpoint onto a West Valley golf course, shot three times and left for dead Feb. 5, 2009, by four people who prosecutors say were deep into the gang lifestyle. Prosecutors say the shooting occurred after one young man became enraged to see Brandstatt wearing a red T-shirt, the color favored by a rival gang.

Simms said his client had no criminal history and no record as a juvenile and that his involvement was a "surprise" to those who know Williamson.

"I think he's remorseful," Simms said. "I think he wishes there was a different outcome ... that there wasn't a death. He looks back and wishes he had made some different decisions."

Brandstatt's mother, Elka Fernandez, said after the hearing that she thinks those who are accused of killing her son were looking to kill in an effort to "make a name for themselves." She said repeatedly that the slaying was a "senseless" one.

"I don't know if (Williamson) truly understood his role in this," Fernandez said. "I hope that after today, he does, and that he takes that time and really is remorseful for what he did. That's all I want."

Williamson drove the defendants to and from the golf course the night of the slaying. He originally faced charges of murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and five counts of aggravated robbery, all first-degree felonies.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed all of the remaining charges.

Police say Antonie Hunter Farani, who was 14 at the time, was the shooter. He was charged with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, in addition to aggravated robbery and kidnapping charges. He was certified as an adult by a juvenile court judge.

Spencer Isaiah Cater, 20, is facing murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping charges as well. His case is set to go to trial in April 2011.

Shardise Malaga, 20, was sentenced in March to 15 years to life in prison for five felonies, including manslaughter, two counts of kidnapping and unrelated charges of burglary and theft.

Fernandez said she hopes that all of those involved think about their actions and the way that it has impacted her life and the life of her family.

"I just want to know that they can see that they took a very special person from this world, and they should feel bad about it," she said. "That's the only thing that can take away the anger and ease the pain."

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