Judge finds Brandi Upshur guilty of first degree murder

In Wicomico County, the verdict is in for a woman's role in the murder of Tavin Molock. A judge finding Brandi Upshur guilty of first degree felony murder and second degree murder.

Upshur was the third of seven charged and convicted for the 2017 murder. But this trial was a little bit different than the one's before it because unlike the others, Brandi Upshur's fate was sealed by a judge not a jury. 

It's a verdict that the victim's mom says brings them one step closer to getting justice for her son.

"I know he's smiling now. We got them," Tina Molock continues, "I'm just so glad justice has been served. You know, I was hoping out of all of them I'm glad she didn't get away because she's, like my attorney said, the fuel, the match, and the fire."

But proving Upshur responsible for Molock's death was no easy task, especially after already trying three other co-defendants in the case.

"We had several civilian witnesses that lost work, had to rearrange their schedules and school. It's incredibly challenging but everyone with this case stuck it out with us," says Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie Dykes.

During the trial, the state argued that without Upshur, her long time boyfriend, Tavin Molock would still be alive.

A statement that one of the seven co-defendants in this case testified to. Brandon Yarns telling the judge that Upshur asked the group to get her money back from Molock several times before and during the fight.

Money that she claimed Molock stole from her. The group would eventually beat, stab, and leave the 32-year-old to die on a lawn on Bethel Street.

Despite the defense's best efforts to prove that taking back money that allegedly belonged to Upshur wasn't robbery, the judge would ultimately decide otherwise.

"Justice has been served and I'll be right here when it come time for sentencing to see what goes on. This shouldn't have happened. mMy son was a great man, he was a good guy and she knows it."

Molock's mom tells 47 ABC that she know's Upshur is sorry, but for her its too late for that. Upshur's sentencing date hasn't been set yet, but the state has filed an intent to seek life without parole.

Three co-defendants have already been tried in this case. Hammond Taylor was found innocent, however Edward Winder and Raymond Murray were both found guilty.

Meanwhile Brandon Yarns and Eddie Smith took plea deals with the state. Smith pleading to first degree assault and Yarns pleading to second degree assault.