Merrick brothers enter pleas in double killing near Yellow Springs

GREENE COUNTY — UPDATE @ 1:10 p.m. (Sept. 12):

The Merrick brothers involved in the killings of William “Skip” Brown and Sherri Mendenhall entered guilty pleas to charges.

Dustin Merrick will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole or early release, officials said in a prepared statement.

Dustin Merrick entered a plea of guilty to aggravated murder, murder, aggravated burglary, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and obstructing justice, officials said.

Bret Merrick was sentenced to 25 years for his role in the crimes after he accepted a plea agreement Wednesday morning.

Bret Merrick entered a guilty plea to two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The plea agreements were presented to the brothers after consultations with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the families of Brown and Mendenhall, officials said.

INITIAL REPORT:

The second brother accused in the killing of William “Skip” Brown and Sherri Mendenhall is scheduled for an appearance in Greene County court, while jury selection continues in the capital murder trial for Dustin Merrick.

Bret Merrick, 25, has an appearance scheduled Wednesday morning, according to Dennis McManes, logistics coordinator for Judge Michael Buckwalter’s courtroom.

The nature of Bret Merrick’s appearance was not immediately clear.

Dustin Merrick, 27, is charged with murder and aggravated murder, along with his brother, Bret Merrick, 25, in the Jan. 15, 2017, shooting deaths of Yellow Springs neighbors Brown and Mendenhall.

The brothers could face the death penalty if convicted.

Jury selection for Dustin Merrick’s trial began last week.

Bret Merrick’s trial is scheduled to start in October.