Trial date set for man accused in Sussex Co. carjacking

One of the men accused in the carjacking and kidnapping of an elderly woman two years ago planned to plead guilty, but once his alleged accomplice’s conviction was dismissed, the guilty plea was essentially thrown out and now it’s all headed for a jury trial on different charges early next year.

Phillip Brewer is due in court in January. Brewer was arrested along with three other teens, Junia McDonald, Jackeline Perez, and Rondaiges Harper.

Brewer initially pleaded guilty in this case along with McDonald and Perez. Harper was found guilty after a jury trial.

Last month, Brewer’s initial guilty plea for carjacking was essentially thrown out because Harper’s conviction on the same charge was overturned this summer. So the thinking goes, if Harper’s conviction didn’t stick neither would Brewer’s.

Brewer has since been indicted on different charges, first degree unlawful imprisonment and second degree conspiracy, but not carjacking.

Harper is facing a similar slate of charges.