FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A murder trial that has been brewing for over a decade has finally made its way into a Broward County courtroom, Tuesday.
In November 2006, three men — Eloyn Ingraham, Bernard Forbes and Andre Delancy — allegedly shot and killed 34-year-old Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Tephford near an apartment complex in Tamarac.
“This is a heartless, cold-blooded assassination,” said former Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne.
Tephford was working an off-duty security job at the apartment complex. The 34-year-old BSO deputy then attempted to pull over a car that did not match its license tag when the three men jumped out and shot at Tephford.
Thirty-seven-year-old deputy Corey Carbocci was also shot but survived.
Officials said the three were captured in surveillance video running away from the scene. They were arrested the following day at a Dania Beach motel.
Now, 11 years later, Ingraham, Forbes and Delancy face first-degree murder charges and began day one of their trial, Tuesday, after being in custody since 2006.
Prosecutors said Ingraham called for the ambush via cellphone and Forbes and Delancy fired the shots.
“The other shot hits him in the right back,” said Broward State Attorney Michael Satz, “and the shot to the right back was fatal. He never left the driver seat of his vehicle.”
Defense attorneys used opening arguments to tell jurors that the state has to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is something that could take six months.
Tephford left behind three children and hundreds of colleagues who were forced to say farewell to a member of the force.
If convicted, all three defendants will face the death penalty.
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