PANAMA CITY — Prosecutors have amended the charges against a man accused of a deadly Panama City Beach shooting during a drug deal gone wrong as his court date nears, according to court documents.
Meanwhile, a second man charged in connection with the shooting has been hospitalized after an out-of-state car wreck, attorneys reported.
Randy Trebor Jackson, 24, was charged with third-degree murder after an alleged robbery scheme for about 2 ounces of marijuana turned deadly in July. Ryan Brooks, 20, was fatally shot multiple times in the Club Apartments parking lot on Panama City Beach. Since then, the state’s plea offer to Jackson has been revoked and prosecutors have amended his charges as his trial approaches Jan. 26.
The charges against Jackson were amended Thursday to manslaughter, attempted robbery and third-degree felony murder — all while possessing a firearm. He also faces charges of attempted sale of cannabis and felony possession of a firearm.
A jury trial has been scheduled in Jackson’s case; however, on the other side of the gunfire, the case of 26-year-old Joseph Cannizzo has been derailed following a December out-of-state car wreck. According to Cannizzo’s attorney, he suffered brain and spine injuries during a “dramatic car crash,” defense attorney Dustin Stephenson said.
The state has extended a plea offer until he is healthy and the next court date was set for April 15 in Cannizzo’s case.
Six people were arrested in the early morning fallout of the July 10 shooting at the Club Apartments, 325 Richard Jackson Blvd., as the three survivors tried to cover their tracks, according to police.
Cannizzo and Brooks allegedly waited in a green SUV in the Club parking lot for Smith to conduct a deal for about 2 ounces of marijuana. Smith’s girlfriend, 17-year-old Alyssa Watford, previously had dated Brooks and arranged the transaction between the two, according to Smith’s sworn testimony.
Josh Heath Smith, 23, and Jackson allegedly discussed beforehand how they would catch Brooks off guard. Jackson would remain behind in the deeply tinted Kia Forte, waiting to get the drop on him, Smith said.
But they didn’t anticipate the people they were awaiting also would be aiming to rob them, according to law enforcement. After Smith brought the money into Brooks’ green SUV, Cannizzo drew on him — ordering Smith to drop his pants, where his gun was stored. Brooks then stepped out and walked over to search the Kia. Neither Brooks nor Cannizzo knew Jackson was in the car until gunfire roared from within.
Smith fled on foot through the woods as Cannizzo ran over to his injured friend, according to police. Brooks would die face down on the asphalt shortly thereafter, and police helicopters would begin to circle in the night sky.
Six people were arrested in connection with the shooting. Watford has pleaded not guilty to principal to attempted robbery. Cannizzo also has pleaded not guilty to principal to robbery with a firearm for allegedly attempting to rob Smith, while his girlfriend 26-year-old Nichole Philbrook has pleaded to three years probation for tampering with physical evidence and attempting to cover up for Cannizzo.
Clinton Robert Allen, 34, who accepted the alleged murder weapon from Jackson, has pleaded to four years of probation in exchange for testifying truthfully in the case against Jackson.
Prosecutors revoked a plea offer of 25 years in prison for Jackson and indicated there would not be another as his January trial approaches. Smith was relocated to another facility for his well-being until then. If he cooperates at trial, he will be sentenced to 10 years in prison.