SALT LAKE CITY — Seventeen-year-old Antonie Farani was sentenced Friday for the murder of another teen at a West Valley City golf course.
Last month, Antonie Farani pleaded guilty in the Feb. 2009 death of 18-year-old JoJo Brandstatt, who was allegedly marched at gunpoint onto a West Valley City golf course, shot execution-style and left for dead.
Farani was sentenced Friday to 20 years to life in prison for one count of first-degree felony aggravated murder and 15 years to life for each of two counts of first-degree kidnapping. The two aggravated kidnapping counts can be served concurrently, meaning Farani will spend a minimum of 35 years in prison.
Prosecutors say that in Feb. 2009, Greg Brown was taken hostage by Farani, Spencer Isiah Cater, Jeremiah Hak Williamson and Shardise Olataga Malaga after trying to trade marijuana for a gun with the group. They told Brown he would have to come up with several thousand dollars or be killed. Brown called his friend Brandstatt asking for help.
Brandstatt arrived at the scene wearing red, which indicated his alignment with a rival gang. Brandstatt was then allegedly taken to the West Ridge Golf Course in West Valley City and shot execution-style. He was later found dead on the course by police.
Police claim then-14-year-old Farani confessed to pulling the trigger, but says he was high on marijuana and pressured by Cater.
Cater was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for kidnapping and robbery in connection with the slaying. Williamson and Malaga have pleaded guilty for their roles in the crime and were sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
