Westerlund pleas to murder
Drunk, arguing with the mother of his child, he picked up a shotgun and shot her. He faces 25 years to life in prison.
Chad Westerlund is charged with killing Chelsea Bramblett.
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor
Chad Westerlund entered a plea of no contest to a charge of second degree murder last week. He faces 25 years to life in prison.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered by the court and a review of the case is set for October. No sentencing date has been set.
Westerlund was originally charged with first degree murder for killing his girlfriend and the mother of one of his children, Chelsea Bramblett, on Jan. 25, 2020.
According to the reports at the time, Bramblett and Westerlund were arguing at their King Bee Drive home. Westerlund was heavily intoxicated and went outside to calm down. He came back inside, saw a shotgun, and on impulse allegedly picked it up and fired at her, hitting her in the head and killing her. She was reportedly nursing a baby when she was shot, though the child was unharmed.
Westerlund reportedly called 911 to report the incident and kept telling dispatchers repeatedly that “I messed up” and allegedly admitted to the killing.
Westerlund was arrested by responding deputies. He had a blood alcohol level of .187 when taken into custody at the jail, hours after the shooting. A level of .08 is considered legally intoxicated.
In addition to the murder charge, Westerlundwas also charged with one count of child endangerment. He was not facing the death penalty for the murder charge.
The case is being prosecuted by Wakulla Chief Prosecutor Jon Fuchs. Westerlund is represented by attorney Joe Bodiford. Wakulla Circuit Judge Layne Smith is presiding over the case.
Because relatives in the case work for Wakulla and Leon sheriff’s offices, Westerlund had been held in the Franklin County Jail.
