Holbrook

CALVERT COUNTY, Md. – A Reedsville man charged with the murder of a well-known Washington, D.C., area photographer, could face a 10-day jury trial if a plea agreement is not reached in the near future.

Brandon R. Holbrook, 48, was formally charged with killing Joseph A. Shymanski, of Huntingtown, Md., in early September 2023.

According to court officials, Holbrook had a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 8. A court for status is set for Feb. 2, where attorneys will advise Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee as to the progress of the case.

The case will go to trial if an agreement is not reached.

According to court documents, a grand jury charged Holbrook with single counts of murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, firearm use in a violent crime and altering physical evidence in a criminal process.

In court, the prosecutor told District Judge Robyn Riddle that Holbrook shot and killed Shymanski in his driveway on Sept. 3. Then, prosecutors allege, Holbrook drove Shymanski’s body 200 miles back to Holbrook’s home in Mifflin County where he burned and discarded the remains in the woods behind his home.

The prosecutor also said Holbrook had been in a relationship with Shymanski’s ex-wife, who had “recently distanced” herself from him.”

In October, Holbrook’s lawyers asked the judge to dismiss charges due to a lack of evidence linking him to it, calling it a “fishing expedition.” Doorbell video and license plate reading cameras were used to place Holbrook’s truck near Shymanski’s home shortly after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots, investigators said.

Media outlets reported Holbrook is currently being held at the Calvert County Detention Center.