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James Brenner is sentenced for the murder of 19-year-old Dylan Rounds. | EastIdahoNews.com
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah —- A 60-year-old man with a violent criminal history spanning forty years was sentenced Monday for the murder of 19-year-old Dylan Rounds.
District Judge Brandon Maynard sentenced Brenner to a minimum of three years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. Brenner received a consecutive sentence of one to 15 years for second-degree murder and two concurrent sentences of two to fifteen years for possession of a firearm by a restricted person.
RELATED | Body of Dylan Rounds found in remote Utah desert, family says
Maynard stated he would recommend to the parole board that they “keep (Brenner) for as long as they legally can.”
James Brenner admitted to the murder of Rounds after leading law enforcement officers to his burial site as part of a plea agreement in May.
As part of that agreement, Brenner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person. All other charges were dismissed.
Dylan Rounds | Courtesy photo
Rounds disappeared from his farm in the desert town of Lucin, Utah, over Memorial Day weekend in 2022. The former Rigby native spoke with his grandmother on the phone before he vanished, and he was never heard from again. His family spent the past two years searching for answers.
Brenner’s defense attorney, Gregory Ferbrache, told the court Brenner had asked him not to say much during the sentencing but reminded the court of the plea agreement, which stated Brenner would receive a minimum of three to 30 years with a requirement that Brenner showed law enforcement Rounds’ burial site, which he did in early April.
“It was something that my client had asked me about from almost the first day that I was brought into this case,” said Ferbrache. “One of the issues that was continually brought up was that my client did want to bring Dylan home.”
When Maynard asked Brenner if he wanted to make a statement, Brenner declined. At one point, the state asked Maynard to require Brenner to turn around and face the gallery, packed full of Rounds’ family and friends.
James Brenner
Brenner’s attorney asked Maynard if it was a request or an order. Maynard explained it was only a request, and Brenner declined to look at the gallery.
Rounds’ father, Justin Rounds, spoke in court, detailing the consequences of Brenner’s actions and pointing out that Brenner continues to show no remorse.
“I just want you to know what you took away. Not just from me, or his mom, or his brother and sister. You took away someone who was willing to be active in society and contribute to society. As far as I can tell in your whole entire life, you’ve never contributed to society,” said Justin. “You don’t have the balls to look anyone in the eye. Turn around and look at these other people you’ve affected.”
Maynard then spoke before pronouncing the sentence, seemingly insinuating he wished he could sentence Brenner to a harsher punishment than what was agreed to in the plea agreement.
“This is not a proper ending for someone like (Dylan),” said Maynard. “I wish I could do something more. I understand when this plea was offered and was taken it was with the consent of the family in an effort to bring closure. So there is nothing more I can do then what has been agreed upon.”
English (United States) ·