{{Short description|American murderer (born 1987)}} {{Infobox criminal | image = | image_name = | name = Brandon Pettit | image_size = | image_caption = | birth_name = Brandon Scott Pettit | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|10|08}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | alias = | conviction = Two counts of first-degree murder | conviction_penalty = Two consecutive life terms without parole | conviction_status = | occupation = Unemployed | spouse = None | parents = David and Janet Pettit | children = | imprisoned = California State Prison, Corcoran<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/Details.aspx?ID=BN2521|title = CDCR Public Inmate Locator}}</ref> }} '''Brandon Scott Pettit''' (born October 10, 1987)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdn.website.thryv.com/c9c5482f51ca4179816cd32634aec8a1/files/uploaded/InCustody.pdf|title=CDN}}</ref> is an American prisoner who was charged with murdering his parents, Janet and David “Scott” Pettit (both 59) in Modesto, California on August 8, 2013.<ref name="Modesto">{{cite news |url=https://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article248923509.html |title=Modesto man sentenced to life in prison for killing parents |work=Modesto Bee |date=2 February 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Brandon's friend, Felix Valverde, whom he allegedly hired to commit the murders, was also arrested and charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.<ref name="CBS News">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brandon-pettit-murder-trial-key-evidence/| title= Text promising "boob job" becomes key evidence in murder trial |last=Slifer|first=Stephanie|work=CBS News|date=14 May 2021}}</ref>

The case was profiled on ''48 Hours''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insideedition.com/how-texts-about-a-boob-job-became-key-evidence-in-a-murder-trial-66941 |title=How Texts About a Boob Job Became Key Evidence In a Murder Trial| last=Sosa| first=Anabel| work=Inside Edition| date=May 14, 2021}}</ref> On October 19, 2022, Brandon Pettit's conviction was overturned after an appeals court found that his statements to police should not have been admitted at his trial. In February 2023, Felix Valverde pleaded guilty to arson in the first-degree murders of Scott and Janet Pettit.

==Background== Scott owned a martial arts studio in Riverbank, California and organized car shows; he was voted “Citizen of the Year” for 2007 by a local paper. Janet was a neonatal nurse who had finished her PhD shortly before her death.<ref name=Escalon>{{cite news |url=https://www.escalontimes.com/news/verdict-returned-pettit-murder-case/ |title=Verdict Returned In Pettit Murder Case |date= September 30, 2020 |work=Escalon Times}}</ref> They had two children, Lauren and Brandon.<ref name="Modesto"/>

Brandon experienced social difficulties and was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome while he was in high school.<ref name="CBS">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brandon-pettit-words-murderer-48-hours/|title=Do words make you a murderer? The case against Brandon Pettit |last=Moriarty|first=Erin|work=CBS News|date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> He enrolled in the Fire Training Academy at Modesto Junior College in the fall of 2010 and began working as a security guard in May 2011.<ref name="Fox">{{cite web|last=Padilla|first=Cecilio|url=https://fox40.com/news/local-news/uncovering-past-of-slain-modesto-couples-son/|title=Uncovering the Past of Slain Modesto Couple's Son |work=Fox 40|date=19 August 2013}}</ref>

==Murder and investigation== A 911 call was placed early on August 8, 2013, by a witness who reported seeing flames at the home of David and Janet Pettit.<ref name="Times">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-xpm-2013-aug-19-la-me-ln-modesto-parents-deaths-20130819-story.html |title=Modesto man arrested in connection with parents' deaths|last=Mather|first=Kate|work=Los Angeles Times|date=19 August 2013}}</ref> An investigation revealed that David and Janet, both found deceased at the scene, had been shot and that an accelerant was used in their bedroom.<ref name="CBS News"/>

Brandon became a suspect, although he was at work when the crime occurred.<ref name="Times"/> Phone records show Brandon spoke to his friend, Felix Valverde, on the night of the murders.<ref name="CBS"/> A search of Valverde's apartment found wallets belonging to David and Janet Pettit and two sets of keys to their home.<ref name="Bee">{{cite web|url=https://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article245877855.html|title=Deilberations begin in case of man accused of killing his parents|last=Tracy|first=Erin|work=Modesto Bee|date=21 September 2020}}</ref> Brandon admitted to giving house keys and bullets to Valverde, and giving him money days after the murders, but denied asking Valverde to commit murder.<ref name="CBS"/>

Multiple people stated that Brandon had told them he wanted his parents dead.<ref name="Modesto"/> In the months leading up to his parents’ murder, Brandon contacted Sarah Wilson, a former high school classmate, claiming his parents were buying him a million-dollar home in Georgia and inviting her to move in with him. Hours before the murders, he sent her a text message saying “You're getting a boob job for Christmas, LOL.”<ref name="CBS News"/>

==Trial== Prosecutors argued Pettit murdered his parents for money, hiring Valverde to commit the murders and providing him with house keys and ammunition.<ref name="CBS News"/> The defense argued that there was no physical evidence linking Pettit to the crime scene and that his incriminating statements and behavior could be explained by his diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.<ref name="Bee"/> In September 2020, he was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder;<ref name=Escalon/> in February 2021, he received two consecutive life sentences without parole.<ref name="Modesto"/> On October 19, 2022, the California Court of Appeal reversed Pettit's convictions because of a Miranda violation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slifer |first=Stephanie |date=2022-10-27 |title=Brandon Pettit's conviction overturned in 2013 murder of his parents - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brandon-pettit-conviction-overturned-2013-murder-parents-48-hours/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |date=2023-02-20 |title=Man who killed Modesto couple enters plea. Conviction overturned for man accused of hiring him |url=https://www.aol.com/man-killed-modesto-couple-enters-150000070.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.modbee.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pettit, Brandon}} Category:1987 births Category:2013 murders in the United States Category:21st-century American murderers Category:American people convicted of murder Category:American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment Category:Modesto Junior College alumni Category:Parricides Category:People convicted of murder by California Category:People from Modesto, California Category:People with Asperger syndrome Category:American autistic people Category:Living people