BARTOW, Fla. — The brother of an accused killer walked back his story in court, and prosecutors said Tuesday they would no longer call him to the stand, despite a plea deal that had been in place. Tony Lee "TJ" Wiggins sat in the courtroom on Sept. 22, 2026, as the trial entered a new phase without a key witness.
Wiggins is standing trial on charges that he murdered three men outside a Dollar General in 2020. The victims were Damion Tillman, Brandon Rollins and Keven Springfield. They had been planning to go fishing when they were shot to death, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said the three victims and the defendant were connected by the defendant's brother, whose name has not been reported. The brother had agreed to testify as part of a plea deal, but during the trial he changed his account. Court TV reported that the brother said, "I just told them whatever they wanted to hear."
The change forced prosecutors to announce they would not call him as a witness. The plea deal, which had been in place, appeared to be in jeopardy. The brother's new statements contradicted what he had previously told investigators, according to court proceedings.
The case stems from the shootings outside a Dollar General store in rural Polk County, Florida. The three men were found dead near the store in the early hours of June 2020. Authorities at the time described the killings as a targeted attack, but they did not immediately name a suspect.
Wiggins was arrested weeks later and charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty. Police said the victims and Wiggins were known to each other, but the motive has not been fully explained in court.
The trial, which began earlier this month, has included testimony from investigators and forensic experts. The prosecution has presented evidence that allegedly links Wiggins to the scene, including shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
The defense has argued that the evidence is circumstantial and that the state's case relies heavily on witnesses who are not reliable. The brother's change of story is a significant blow to the prosecution, as he was expected to provide direct testimony about Wiggins's involvement.
Court TV, which is covering the trial, reported that the brother's plea deal included a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony. With his recantation, prosecutors may seek to revoke the deal, though no formal motion has been filed yet.
The trial is expected to continue with other witnesses. What remains unknown is whether the prosecution will be able to secure a conviction without the brother's testimony, and whether the brother will face consequences for breaching his plea agreement.
The next step in the trial is scheduled for Wednesday, when the court will hear from additional witnesses. The jury is expected to begin deliberations later this week.