CONWAY, SC (WBWT) – We’re asking what’s next for the case of an alleged bank robber after federal prosecutors announced they’ll seek the death penalty against Brandon Council.
Court documents show Council admitted to robbing the CresCom Bank in Conway last August and killing two women, Donna Major and Katie Skeen, who worked there. He was charged with two counts of murder, among other federal and state charges.
“This is exactly what we had hoped would happen,” said Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor, Jimmy Richardson.
News13’s Abbey O’Brien asked Richardson how this could affect the timeline of the case.
“The federal system is a lot faster than the state system simply because there’s a lot fewer cases in the federal system,” said Richardson.
Court documents released on Wednesday show the federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty for several reasons including Council’s “escalating pattern of criminal activity,” the “targeting of innocent victims” and his “lack of remorse.”
Richardson said, “Every murder is not a death penalty case.” However, in this case, documents also show Council confessed to the robbery and murders.
Richardson said Council and his defense team will probably try to get the confession kicked out.
“If it’s not kicked out he’ll have to explain it,” added Richardson.
He also explained what will happen when the jury has to decide on a verdict.
“In death penalty cases, part one is :guilty or not guilty?” said Richardson. “Part two is: Is this guy the worst of the worst? Is this worthy of the ultimate penalty?”
Local Chief Deputy Solicitor from the Fifteenth Circuit, Scott Hixson, will help prosecute the federal case in Florence, SC. Hixson is cross-trained to work in state and federal court.
It is unclear when Council will be in court again.