Brutal Florida ‘Box-Cutter Killer’ Handed 2 More Life Sentences For Shooting At Detectives

HomeCops and Crime

Brutal Florida ‘Box-Cutter Killer’ Handed 2 More Life Sentences For Shooting At Detectives

Brandon P. McLean
Brandon P. McLean

The violent crime spree of convicted murderer Brandon P. McLean concluded with two additional life sentences in Seminole County in October.

McLean, 36, who fatally stabbed his girlfriend with a box cutter in Volusia County before shooting at detectives during a foot pursuit in Sanford, was convicted of attempted murder and will now spend the rest of his life behind bars.

A jury delivered a guilty verdict on multiple charges on October 15, following a three-day trial where Seminole County prosecutors Jacob Polk, Richard Babcock, and Paul Brill presented the evidence. Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler officially sentenced McLean on October 20 for the 2021 incident involving Seminole County Sheriff’s detectives.

McLean received the following prison terms for firing a handgun at law enforcement officers:

  • Attempted first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer: Life imprisonment.
  • Second-degree attempted murder on a law enforcement officer: Life imprisonment.
  • Aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer: 15 years.

Judge Recksiedler ordered that the new life terms for attempted murder be served consecutively to his existing sentence. Prosecutors successfully argued that McLean should be classified as a Prison Releasee Reoffender, which allows for maximum sentences.

The Original Crime and Chase

The Seminole County incident occurred on April 21, 2021, the day after McLean’s initial crime. The DeLand man had brutally murdered his girlfriend, Amy Humphries, 28, by slashing and stabbing her 77 times with a box cutter in her Volkswagen Jetta.

Authorities say his motive was anger because Humphries allegedly failed to purchase a handgun for him. McLean then dumped her body near a walking trail in Osteen.

Seminole County detectives located McLean and the victim’s car outside a laundromat on U.S. 17/92 in Sanford and attempted to make contact. McLean fled on foot but then turned and fired a handgun several times at the pursuing detectives. The deputies returned fire, bringing McLean down quickly in the backyard of a nearby home, where he was arrested.

Justice Served in Two Counties

McLean had already been tried and convicted of Humphries’ murder in Volusia County in 2023, where he received a sentence of life in state prison without parole. Notably, McLean represented himself at both the murder and the attempted murder trials.

Prosecutor Richard Babcock praised the detectives involved in the apprehension: “Through the courageous efforts of Detective Daniel Brown, Detective Spencer Sheldon, Detective Blake Reiss, and Sgt. Kiel Bryant, those desires were extinguished, and the community was protected against any further harm at the hands of the defendant. These deputies didn’t run from danger, but met it head-on. Seminole County is a safer place because of their actions that day.”

The consecutive life sentences ensure Brandon McLean will never be released from prison.

READ: Two Florida Men Charged With Murder Of Teen Girl, Wounding 2 Others In Restaurant Shooting

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