Brandi Weidner Pleads Guilty in Case of Gunnar McNeill's Death

SAN ANGELO, TX — Brandi Weidner pleaded guilty for her involvement in the death of Gunnar McNeill. She was facing a trial later this month for Accident Involving Death.

Weidner was accused of running down with the car she was driving a pedestrian on N. Bryant in the early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2014.

Gunnar McNeill was found dead on the right side of the roadway in the 3700 block of N. Bryant Blvd. with wounds consistent with being hit by a vehicle.

Acting on an anonymous tip, police eventually traced the vehicle to Weidner’s car and she told investigators she thought she struck a deer. Police arrested Weidner on April 25, 2016 and she posted a $5,000 bond.

Her indictment accused her of knowingly driving a vehicle that became involved in an accident that did result in death to Gunner McNeill, and then, knowing that an accident had occurred, intentionally failed to stop and render aid to McNeill.

In court Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., accompanied by her new state-appointed attorney Joe Hernandez, Weidner cried only once during the plea process, when Judge Jay Weatherby said she faced as many as 20 years in the state penitentiary.

Accident Involving Death is a Second Degree Felony and the punishment is two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Weidner agreed to allow Judge Weatherby assign the punishment in a hearing set for Dec. 20 at 9 a.m.

In court this afternoon, as Weidner heard her admonishments from Judge Weatherby, Jason Ferguson represented the State. There were no family members or friends in the courtroom on Weidner’s side. For the victim, Gunnar McNeill’s mother was present along with a representative from the victim’s advocacy office.

Weidner drew attention to her case when she was arrested and jailed Oct. 4 for DWI. Her bond was increased to $150,000 for the DWI and she is currently being held in the Tom Green County Jail for the DWI charge.