The three men charged with killing Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Tephford in 2006 were in court Tuesday for a hearing before their trial.
Bernard Forbes, Andre Delancy, and Elyn Ingraham were each charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
The lead investigator, who's now retired, was on the stand and gave details on the massive manhunt that had the entire county on edge.
“These guys are violent people,” he said. “We have over 300 cops looking for these guys, and my concern is a police officer could pull over a car with these people in it and get shot, or civilians will get shot.”
Prosecutors said that the decorated deputy was gunned down at a traffic stop while he was working a special detail. Corey Carvocci, who arrived as back up, was also shot, but recovered. Police say neither officer had a chance to fire his weapon.
“They shot two deputies, killed one, they have no regard for law enforcement,” said the lead investigator.
The investigator described how he tied Forbes, Delancy, and Ingraham to the crime.
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Tephford, who was 34, had been on the force six years when he died and had three young kids.
During three days this week the men charged with the attacks on the officers can try to prevent evidence or witnesses from becoming part of what the jury will see and hear during trial. The lead investigator was in court to resolve any legal issues.
Judge Paul Backman told those present at the hearing to state all of their legal claims and get the administrative functions out of the way so the trial can start.
The three men charged have separate attorneys, but will face trial together.
