Accused killer of 3 in Florida may get the death penalty
The accused killer of three men who were on a weekend fishing trip in July could face the death penalty if convicted.
Tony “T.J.” Wiggins, 26, arrested July 21, is believed to be responsible for the deaths of Damion Tillman, 2 3, Keven Springfield, 30, and Brandon Ro l l i n s, 2 7, who were found dead near their trucks in a forested area of Frostproof near Highway 27.
Wiggins was indicted by a grand jury in September and formally charged with three felony counts of murder in the first degree, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Polk County court records show.
On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a notice in Circuit Court stating that Wiggins was previously convicted of another capital felony and the killings were committed to avoid or prevent arrest or to escape custody, according to Polk County court records.
The filing came one day after an online petition on Change.org asking prosecutors to seek the death penalty reached its
U. S. goal of 1,000 signatures.
The victims were planning on a night of fishing when Wiggins allegedly arrived with his brother, 21-ye a r- o l d William “Robert” Wiggins, and his b ro t h e r ’s girlfriend, 27-year-old Mary Whittemore. Wiggins allegedly approached Springfield and accused him of stealing his truck’s engine and selling it.
Wiggins proceeded to fire multiple rounds from his weapon into all three of the men, according to authorities.
An investigation found Wiggins had seen Tillman at a Dollar General store who he overheard Tillman telling the cashier his plans to meet with Springfield for a fishing trip, according to law enforcement.
Surveillance cameras confirm the Wiggins brothers and Tillman standing in line together about 10 minutes before the shooting took place, authorities say.
During the investigation, Robert gave detectives a statement about the shooting leading to his brother’s arrest. Robert also told investigators that his brother threw the gun used in the killings out the window of his truck.
Robert and Whittmore are facing charges of accessory after the fact to a capital felony.