Topline: Relatives of three murdered friends described missed milestones and lost futures as jurors began weighing life without parole or death for Tony Wiggins.
Published: October 5, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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BARTOW, FL — Families of three men killed in 2020 described the milestones and futures stolen from them as jurors began considering whether convicted murderer Tony “TJ” Wiggins should receive life without parole or the death penalty.
Prosecutors sought death while defense attorneys presented evidence of childhood trauma during penalty-phase testimony Thursday, Oct. 1, according to WFLA. Wiggins has been convicted of three first-degree murders; the jury’s punishment recommendation remained unresolved in that report.
The victims were Brandon Rollins, Keven Springfield and Damion Tillman. A jury found Wiggins guilty Tuesday of shooting the three friends during a fishing trip in Frostproof, FOX 13 reported.
Rollins’ niece, Ariel Bustos, told jurors her uncle had missed her 15th birthday, graduation and the day she received her driver’s license. Friends and relatives of all three victims asked jurors to consider the lasting harm to their families.
Rollins’ mother, Dottie Payton, described grief that had not eased with time and said her family’s belief in forgiveness did not erase what happened. She also testified that Rollins was her last child still living at home and had hoped to have children of his own. Elizabeth Tillman remembered her son Damion’s smile and described a world permanently changed by his absence, according to FOX 13.
Prosecutor Ralph Guerra argued that the three killings were central to the case for death: For each murder, the other two first-degree murder convictions constituted additional capital felonies for jurors to consider as an aggravating factor.
Defense attorney Debra Alice Tuomey argued that life without parole was sufficient punishment. Forensic psychologist Dr. Scott Machlus testified about Wiggins’ traumatic childhood and research linking such experiences to a greater likelihood of aggression, violence and criminal behavior.
FOX 13 reported that defense experts described poverty and physical and emotional abuse in Wiggins’ upbringing. Mary Karns, a former girlfriend of his father who knew him from childhood into adulthood, portrayed Wiggins as helpful and said she loved him like her own child.
The victims’ families told WFLA they had wanted the death penalty from the outset. Both outlets reported that proceedings were scheduled to continue Friday, Oct. 2, with FOX 13 reporting that the defense expected to call additional witnesses.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Tony Wiggins Faces Death Penalty as Families Describe Losses in Triple-Murder Case
Relatives of three murdered friends described missed milestones and lost futures as jurors began weighing life without parole or death for Tony Wiggins.
By Randy Shaw
Published: October 5, 2026 10:04 pm ET
BARTOW, FL — Families of three men killed in 2020 described the milestones and futures stolen from them as jurors began considering whether convicted murderer Tony “TJ” Wiggins should receive life without parole or the death penalty.
Prosecutors sought death while defense attorneys presented evidence of childhood trauma during penalty-phase testimony Thursday, Oct. 1, according to WFLA. Wiggins has been convicted of three first-degree murders; the jury’s punishment recommendation remained unresolved in that report.
The victims were Brandon Rollins, Keven Springfield and Damion Tillman. A jury found Wiggins guilty Tuesday of shooting the three friends during a fishing trip in Frostproof, FOX 13 reported.
Rollins’ niece, Ariel Bustos, told jurors her uncle had missed her 15th birthday, graduation and the day she received her driver’s license. Friends and relatives of all three victims asked jurors to consider the lasting harm to their families.
Rollins’ mother, Dottie Payton, described grief that had not eased with time and said her family’s belief in forgiveness did not erase what happened. She also testified that Rollins was her last child still living at home and had hoped to have children of his own. Elizabeth Tillman remembered her son Damion’s smile and described a world permanently changed by his absence, according to FOX 13.
Prosecutor Ralph Guerra argued that the three killings were central to the case for death: For each murder, the other two first-degree murder convictions constituted additional capital felonies for jurors to consider as an aggravating factor.
Defense attorney Debra Alice Tuomey argued that life without parole was sufficient punishment. Forensic psychologist Dr. Scott Machlus testified about Wiggins’ traumatic childhood and research linking such experiences to a greater likelihood of aggression, violence and criminal behavior.
FOX 13 reported that defense experts described poverty and physical and emotional abuse in Wiggins’ upbringing. Mary Karns, a former girlfriend of his father who knew him from childhood into adulthood, portrayed Wiggins as helpful and said she loved him like her own child.
The victims’ families told WFLA they had wanted the death penalty from the outset. Both outlets reported that proceedings were scheduled to continue Friday, Oct. 2, with FOX 13 reporting that the defense expected to call additional witnesses.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Tony Wiggins Faces Death Penalty as Families Describe Losses in Triple-Murder Case
Relatives of three murdered friends described missed milestones and lost futures as jurors began weighing life without parole or death for Tony Wiggins.
By Randy Shaw
Published: October 5, 2026 10:04 pm ET
BARTOW, FL — Families of three men killed in 2020 described the milestones and futures stolen from them as jurors began considering whether convicted murderer Tony “TJ” Wiggins should receive life without parole or the death penalty.
Prosecutors sought death while defense attorneys presented evidence of childhood trauma during penalty-phase testimony Thursday, Oct. 1, according to WFLA. Wiggins has been convicted of three first-degree murders; the jury’s punishment recommendation remained unresolved in that report.
The victims were Brandon Rollins, Keven Springfield and Damion Tillman. A jury found Wiggins guilty Tuesday of shooting the three friends during a fishing trip in Frostproof, FOX 13 reported.
Rollins’ niece, Ariel Bustos, told jurors her uncle had missed her 15th birthday, graduation and the day she received her driver’s license. Friends and relatives of all three victims asked jurors to consider the lasting harm to their families.
Rollins’ mother, Dottie Payton, described grief that had not eased with time and said her family’s belief in forgiveness did not erase what happened. She also testified that Rollins was her last child still living at home and had hoped to have children of his own. Elizabeth Tillman remembered her son Damion’s smile and described a world permanently changed by his absence, according to FOX 13.
Prosecutor Ralph Guerra argued that the three killings were central to the case for death: For each murder, the other two first-degree murder convictions constituted additional capital felonies for jurors to consider as an aggravating factor.
Defense attorney Debra Alice Tuomey argued that life without parole was sufficient punishment. Forensic psychologist Dr. Scott Machlus testified about Wiggins’ traumatic childhood and research linking such experiences to a greater likelihood of aggression, violence and criminal behavior.
FOX 13 reported that defense experts described poverty and physical and emotional abuse in Wiggins’ upbringing. Mary Karns, a former girlfriend of his father who knew him from childhood into adulthood, portrayed Wiggins as helpful and said she loved him like her own child.
The victims’ families told WFLA they had wanted the death penalty from the outset. Both outlets reported that proceedings were scheduled to continue Friday, Oct. 2, with FOX 13 reporting that the defense expected to call additional witnesses.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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