Jamal Frederick was 21 when he was shot and killed on December 31, 2017, at his grandmother’s home in Boynton Beach, Florida. He and his older brother Malcolm were both shot after being confronted by 28-year-old Joseph Bruny, who said he had gone to collect a $700 marijuana debt. Bruny testified he disarmed Jamal of a .380-caliber handgun, then said Malcolm, armed with a Mac 11, was directed to shoot him; Bruny fired back, striking Malcolm multiple times and then shooting Jamal. Police found Jamal with a loaded .45-caliber pistol under his body; Bruny fired 17 shots and called 911, and was arrested while driving to the police station.

Bruny was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and robbery with a firearm and argued self-defense at trial. The defense pointed to the brothers’ weapons and to missing evidence such as DNA and phone records. The jury acquitted Bruny of the first-degree murder charges, finding the prosecution had not met its burden of proof. The deaths of Jamal and Malcolm Frederick remain a stark example of how disputed accounts and gaps in evidence can shape the outcome of a homicide trial.

If anyone knew the Fredericks or has information about the events that night, please share what is known.