In a recent turn of events in Lancaster County, two teenage brothers, Joshua Whisman, 16, and Alexander Whisman, 17, are set to face trial after a preliminary hearing this Tuesday. Besides being charged as adults with numerous offenses including aggravated assault and possession of a firearm as minors, they are part of a case involving gunshots fired following a fight at a house party back in September, as reported by FOX43. In an incident seeded in familial strife, Alexander is also implicated in a separate harrowing charge that concerns the kidnapping and murder of his cousin, Matthew Whisman.
Caught in the web of this violence, it was discovered in the investigation that Brandi Whisman, the mother of the accused, allegedly had a role by providing the handguns her sons used in the shootout. The two handguns found at the scene, which the teens admitted to using, were linked to her after her sons disclosed to authorities that she allowed a rather unfettered access to these firearms. "The boys told police Brandi Whisman gave them permission to take the guns whenever they wanted, even providing them a key to access the firearms and telling them where the guns were during the incident," according to ABC27. She faces multiple misdemeanor charges for endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors.
Both brothers face serious charges, including criminal conspiracy and recklessly endangering another person. Despite the strained threads of violence unwinding in the courtroom, no individuals were harmed during the September 16 incident that took place on the 300 block of East New Street.
In the aftermath of the hearing, Judge Andrew LeFever allowed Joshua Whisman's case to proceed to the Court of Common Pleas, while Alexander waived his preliminary hearing for the incident. Meanwhile, Brandi Whisman, confronted with the misdemeanors and her sons' testimonies against her, saw her bail set at $10,000 unsecured by LeFever, "not comfortable" releasing Joshua based on the evidence presented, Local21News detailed.
