DOB: 08/28/1970

Case Number: 2021-1039 CF

Putnam County Defendant Convicted of First-Degree Murder

PALATKA – After a two-day trial this afternoon, a Putnam County jury found defendant Eldridge Griner guilty as charged of First-Degree Murder (Firearm). Immediately following the verdict, the defendant was sentenced to life in prison.

On the evening of May 25, 2021, Griner went to a Palatka apartment under the guise of selling drugs to the victim, Joseph Brinson. The woman who lived in the unit did not want the defendant there and asked him to leave. They began to argue, and Brinson attempted to intervene by separating the two and escorting Griner outside the apartment.

While the two were outside, Griner pulled out a handgun and shot Brinson once in the head.  The victim died from his injuries at the scene.

Griner was later taken into custody in South Carolina on an unrelated arrest warrant. When he was extradited to Putnam County, the defendant admitted that he had killed Brinson. He called the killing a “hit” and an “execution”, which he had planned for several days after Brinson had allegedly robbed him.

“The fact that a convicted murderer will never walk the streets again is a Christmas gift for the citizens of our communities,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “His ruthless and brutal execution of our victim reflects the violent depravity of his character.”

The case was investigated by the Palatka Police Department. Assistant State Attorneys Mark Johnson and Alexander Gilewicz successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Alicia Washington presided over the case and pronounced sentence.