Brittany Weiler, the woman accused of driving the getaway car in the Hendry’s Beach homicide of Robert Simpson, had her sentencing continued on Tuesday, after being released on her own recognizance.

After entering a plea of no contest to one count of being an accessory to murder after the fact, Weiler was thought to be potentially facing up to seven years in prison. But on Tuesday, Judge Brian E. Hill ruled in favor of a defense motion for release, despite objections from the prosecution, stating his belief that the defendant did not pose any significant threat to public safety.

Brittany Weiler
SBSO

The victim’s family, who was present for the hearing, and had been warned in advance of the court’s decision, relayed their disappointment through Deputy District Attorney Hilary Dozer. In his objection, Dozer asserted that “it was the wrong message to send to the community” to release someone who had been convicted of being an accessory to such a serious crime. Judge Hill disagreed however, citing a number of factors, including Weiler’s good behavior since the incident, as the basis for his decision.

Weiler was arrested for her role in the stabbing after several witnesses identified her to police as the driver of the white Nissan Altima in which the murder suspect, Adrian Robles, was seen fleeing the scene of the crime. According to reports, the stabbing allegedly took place as the result of an altercation that broke out between the two men while on the grassy area that lies adjacent to the Boathouse restaurant.

Robles, who has since pled not guilty to the murder charges, is currently being held while awaiting trial. As such, it remains to be seen if any new details in the case that could be pertinent to Weiler’s sentencing will result.

In the meantime, the final word on Weiler’s sentence will have to wait until Judge Hill takes up the matter again next year, on February 8.

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