Brawley murder suspect pleads no contest

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The man accused of murdering a married couple in their Brawley home is headed to sentencing after he pleaded no contest. 

25-year-old Brandon Hamlin had his readiness conference last week, where he pleaded no contest to the four charges. Two of them are premeditated murder and two counts of robbery.

The Imperial County District Attorney's Office says when a defendant pleads no contest to the charges the trial dates are cancelled because a trial is no longer needed.

District Attorney George Marquez explains what could happen next in this case: "At the sentencing phase, somebody who is charged with first degree murder can face life without the possibility of parole depending on the facts and circumstances."

Hamlin is accused of murdering 78-year-old Elia Castro and 84-year-old Rigoberto Castro by stabbing them multiple times in April 2023.

His sentencing date is set for May 12.