May 4, 2023
(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Justin Broadnax, 28, of Denton, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to 50 years in prison for Murder. “This murderer had a long history of violence and threats with firearms that had yet to catch up with him. Now he’s been held accountable for murdering an unsuspecting and innocent victim,” said Willis after sentencing.
On August 21, 2021, the victim was at his apartment hanging out with friends when Broadnax showed up unannounced. Broadnax barged into the apartment upset and looking for his girlfriend. When the individuals in the apartment told him to leave, he initially refused.
Eventually Broadnax’s girlfriend convinced him to leave and the two began walking out of the apartment. As they were leaving, Broadnax elbowed the victim in the face. A fight ensued between the victim, Broadnax, and other males in the apartment.
During the fist-fight, Broadnax pulled a gun from his waistband and shot the victim once in the chest before fleeing with his girlfriend. In the following days, Broadnax changed his appearance, disposed of the murder weapon, and fled to Houston.
Frisco Police Department Detective Randy Adams investigated the case. The investigation revealed that none of the victim’s friends and eye witnesses knew Broadnax’s name, or that he had a gun on him when he came into the apartment. Through witness interviews and leads from social media, the Frisco Police Department identified, located, and arrested Broadnax three days later with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals.
The jury found Broadnax guilty. During punishment, the jury heard evidence of Broadnax’s violent past, including threats involving a fireman on four separate instances and a history of domestic violence.
The jury also learned that at the time of the murder, Broadnax was on bond for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge out of Dallas that occurred seven months prior to the murder. During that incident, Broadnax was in possession of two firearms.
Additionally, prosecutors introduced evidence that Broadnax had been prohibited from carrying a firearm due to a protective order issued out of Denton County, Texas. The jury assessed punishment at 50 years in prison.
Judge George Flint presided over the case. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Marisa Dunagan and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Bennett, and Victim’s Assistance Coordinators Niccole Frazier and Shaunette Bronson.
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