Trial delayed for suspect in Brevard deputy's killing; Girlfriend accepts plea deal

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9's Melonie Holt was in court Monday as prosecutors won their bid to delay the trial of 24-year-old Brandon Bradley.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Bradley for the March 2012 killing of Deputy Barbara Pill, who was gunned down during a traffic stop.

The state said Bradley was the shooter and his girlfriend, Andria Kerchner, 21, was along for the ride.

Holt learned Monday, however, that Kerchner is avoiding a trial by accepting a plea deal in the case.

Neither the defense nor prosecutors want to discuss the exact details of that deal, but Kerchner will be expected to testify in Bradley's trial.

Prosecutors said Kerchner accepted the plea deal, but they'll need more time to try Bradley. Among their reasons was the defense's newly disclosed expert witnesses and the availability of a prosecution witness.

"We need to make sure we are completely prepared," said assistant state attorney Tom Brown. "We need to get our experts involved just make sure we are completely prepared, ready to go. We didn't ask for a lot of time."

The state's request will delay Bradley's Jan. 28 trial date by roughly a month.

Where Bradley will be tried is also an issue. The defense has asked for a change of venue in the high-profile case.

"We think we can get a fair and impartial jury from here, but the judge will make that call," said Brown.

The judge will set Bradley's new court date in a written order.

Kerchner's plea hearing is set for Jan. 23.

WFTV