HENRICO COUNTY, Va. – Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor told a Henrico County judge Wednesday she will pursue the death penalty in the trial of a man accused of killing his parents on Easter Sunday.
William Roy Brissette, 23, has been charged with two counts of capital murder and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
If convicted, Brissette could face life in prison or death.
William Roy Brissette
Brissette was arrested after police found his mother Martha B. Brissette, 56, and her husband Henry J. Brissette III, 59, dead from gunshot wounds in their home along the 8300 block of Forge Road around 9:30 p.m. on March 27.
In a letter to the court, the Commonwealth said their decision to seek the death penalty was due to the “Outrageously or wantonly vile” crimes and the probability that the Brissette would continue to be a “serious threat to society.”
Neighbors were shocked by the crime describing the Brissettes as hard-working, kind individuals who did their best to provide for their children.
Neighbors said William lived at the Forge Road home with his parents.
Martha B. Brissette, age 56, and her husband Henry J. Brissette III, age 59, were found murdered on Easter Sunday
Brissette’s criminal record in Henrico, according to court records, dates back to 2013.
He had several charges for marijuana distribution, and one for stalking/fear of death that was nolle prosse.
Prosecutors also said police had been called to the family’s Forge Road home on several occasions involving William Brissette.
Since 2006, Henrico Police records show they visited the family’s Forge Road home for 30 different calls, including drunk/disorderly, suspicious situation, domestic, mental subject, drugs, animal cruelty/neglect, missing person and, on Easter, a fatal shooting.
Brissette continues to be held without bond at the Henrico Jail.
His trial is set for June 5-16, 2017.
