A 20-year-old Horn Lake man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted of attempted first-degree murder, among other charges, in connection with a drug deal that went awry in June of 2023.
A jury unanimously found Brandon Brinkley guilty of attempted first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery at the end of a three-day trial in September.
Court documents and trial testimonies detailed Brinkley and Marco Gentry, who was also convicted and received a 20-year sentence, meeting with the eventual shooting victim at Dodge’s Chicken to buy marijuana. Gentry apparently was inquiring about purchasing a firearm.
When the victim showed the gun, Gentry took it while Brinkley exited the car and shot the victim. Fire was exchanged between the parties before Brinkley and Gentry fled the scene. Both were arrested shortly after the incident.
“As long as I hold this position, my office will dedicate every resource available to eliminating violent criminals like Brandon Brinkley and Marco entry from DeSoto County,” District Attorney Matthew Barton said. “I made a promise to protect this community, and this guilty verdict and sentence is just one step toward fulfilling that commitment.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Wilcutt and investigated by the Olive Branch Police Department.
