Texas – In a disturbing case out of Texas, a 62-year-old man, identified as V. Brisbon, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his girlfriend’s 16-year-old daughter, identified as L. Juma, a crime that has deeply shaken the community and her family.
The tragic events unfolded in late April 2022. Juma, feeling increasingly unsafe due to Brisbon’s strange behavior throughout the night, reached out to her family for help. She FaceTimed her mother, L. Young, who was out of town for work, expressing her discomfort and fear. Her mother instructed Juma’s older sister, K. Harmon, to go to their home and pick her up.
“She just said he was being really weird and wanted me to pick her up,” Harmon recounted the terror in her sister’s voice from that night.
Upon Harmon’s arrival, the situation escalated dramatically. Brisbon, armed with a 9mm handgun, was holding Juma against her will. When deputies arrived at the scene, they were met with gunshots from within the home. Moments later, Brisbon stepped outside and surrendered to law enforcement, chillingly telling the deputies, “Do what you have to do.” Inside, they discovered the worst: Juma had been fatally shot.
The investigation quickly uncovered disturbing evidence that Brisbon had attempted to “take advantage” of Juma before killing her. The case moved to trial, where jurors were subjected to the harrowing last moments of Juma’s life through bodycam recordings capturing her screams and cries for help, followed by the fatal gunshots.
“Our jury heard bodycam recordings of the victim’s screams, cries for help and then gunshots, which were not easy to listen to,” Assistant DA Katie Warren stated, reflecting on the emotional toll the evidence took on those present in the courtroom. The trial, lasting nine days, ended with Brisbon’s conviction for capital murder.
The victim’s mother, Young, expressed profound grief and disbelief at the actions of Brisbon, whom she had once trusted. “He treated her like she was his baby,” Young said in disbelief. “I don’t understand. He can rot in jail. He had no reason to take my baby’s life.”
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The sentencing brought some measure of closure to the family, devastated by the loss of a young woman described by all who knew her as full of promise and vitality. DA K. Ogg echoed this sentiment, condemning Brisbon’s actions: “This defendant was a predator with a gun, and his choice to hurt a young girl and take her life was senseless and horrific,” she said. “He not only took a promising young woman’s life, his actions have destroyed a family.”
This tragic incident has left a profound mark on the community, prompting discussions about safety and the protection of young individuals within their own homes. The life sentence ensures that Brisbon will never have the opportunity to harm another person again.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or feels unsafe, please reach out to local authorities or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for confidential support.
