PROSECUTOR MOERS ANNOUNCES SECOND JURY TRIAL WIN OF THE WEEK AFTER BRANDON ARTIS IS FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER, ROBBERY, AND INTIMIDATION

Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that, on March 6–9, 2023, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office successfully prosecuted Brandon Artis for shooting and killing his marijuana dealer and stealing his drugs and cash in front of a female civilian and her three children.

Trey McGillicuddy was a marijuana dealer who had recently started dealing with Artis. On August 27, 2022, Artis shot McGillicuddy at the latter’s residence in the presence of Sessily Bruner and her children. He then pointed his gun at Ms. Bruner and her daughter and demanded Ms. Bruner load up bags of marijuana or he would shoot the child. Artis took away the bags of marijuana, a satchel with cash in it, and other objects.

A search was conducted of Mr. Artis’ residence where the stolen items were found.A necklace with a pendant was found near the crime scene and looked identical to the one that Artis had worn.

The jury found the Defendant guilty of murder; one count of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony; one count of armed robbery, a Level 3 felony; one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony; and two counts of intimidation where the defendant drew or used a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony.

Artis waived his right to a jury trial on a felony firearm sentencing enhancement and a habitual offender sentencing enhancement, and those enhancements proceeded to a bench trial before the Honorable Robert J. Pigman. Judge Pigman is expected to issue a ruling prior to sentencing.

Prosecutor Moers thanked her Deputies, Jeremy Kemper and Audrey Beckerle, Detective Beitler, Mike Ward, and the entire EPD Street Crimes Unit for their exhaustive work on the case, and Jon Carter for their diligent efforts in this case. “We were able to remove another dangerous person off the streets because of careful and effective police work, coupled with a focused prosecution strategy,” stated Prosecutor Moers, “This serves as a strong warning to criminals that their unlawful actions will lead to severe consequences in Vanderburgh County.”

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeremy Kemper commented, “While I know this verdict will not bring back Trey, I hope it provides some measure of justice and closure to his family.”

Sentencing is scheduled for April 12, 2023, in front of Judge Robert J. Pigman of the Vanderburgh Superior Court.