Experts’ reversal leads to plea deal midway through 2022 fatal gym shooting trial

SAN ANTONIO — In a surprising turn of events, Jesse McWilliams, the man accused of fatally shooting another man at a San Antonio gym in 2022, agreed to a plea deal Wednesday after a key witness at the trial changed his assessment of McWilliams’ mental competency.

McWilliams was initially found competent to stand trial in the August 2022 shooting death of Brandon Broadnax, who was working out at a Los Angeles fitness center at the 410 Loop and Blanco Road.

Broadnax was lifting weights when McWilliams came up from behind and shot him in the back of the head.

During this week’s trial, a government expert who previously found McWilliams competent to stand trial based on recent details revealed in court said he now believes McWilliams is incompetent, citing information he did not previously know.

After overturning the doctor’s ruling, Judge Joel Perez accepted McWilliams’ plea of ​​not guilty by reason of insanity. McWilliams was admitted to a state psychiatric hospital where he will undergo regular assessments.

The plea deal angered Broadnax’s family, who expressed disappointment and disbelief in court.

“You decided to be a coward and go to the gym and kill my brother. I don’t believe these claims of insanity,” Broadnax’s sister said.

“You made eye contact when you went to do that to my husband,” Broadnax’s widow addressed McWilliams directly. “Why? Why?”

McWilliams’ commitment to working at the public hospital means he will be assessed annually, but may spend the rest of his life at the facility.

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