2 plead guilty in 2019 killing of young Birmingham father-to-be

2 plead guilty in 2019 killing of young Birmingham father-to-be

Two suspects have pleaded guilty in the killing of a young father-to-be who was killed during a robbery more than three years ago.

Travec Ard, 25, and Jasmine Roberson, 23, pleaded guilty in the 2019 slaying of 21-year-old Brandon Rosario. Both Ard and Roberson were found in Rosarios car after his body was found.

Ard pleaded guilty to capital murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

He still faces trial on an unrelated capital murder charge in the 2021 shooting death of 25-year-old Desi Montell Carter at a Fairfield gas station.

Roberson was initially charged with capital murder in Rosario’s death but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of felony murder.

Court documents made public this week show she actually entered her guilty plea in 2021, but sentencing was withheld until she “truthfully testified” in Ard’s trial, which would have taken place in January if he had not pleaded.

Roberson on Monday was sentenced to 25 years in prison. She was booked into the Jefferson County Jail following sentencing to await transport to state prison.

Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Shawn Allen said Rosario’s family was satisfied with the outcome of the cases.

Rosario was found dead about 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in the 9900 block of Turner Avenue near the Airport Hills community. Police said citizen was going to visit a friend in the neighborhood when that person spotted a man down in the roadway.

He appeared to have been shot and was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service at 7:38 a.m.

About four hours later, Rosario’s silver Nissan sedan was found in the parking lot of Park Place apartments in downtown Birmingham.

Rosario’s brother, Brian Rosario, said he and other family members were looking for their missing loved one when they spotted the vehicle.

Roberson was driving and Ard was in the passenger’s seat. Brian Rosario approached the vehicle and Ard got out armed with a gun. He and Roberson then fled the scene. The family did not know at the time that Rosario had been killed.

Rosario had attended Huffman High School and was set to become a father for the first time in September. “He’d give his last to everybody,’’ his girlfriend said at the time. “Every homeless person, every sick person. He was the person everyone called upon.”

Rosario worked in construction and had started his own lawn care service. Family said Rosario knew Roberson from high school but said they do not believe he knew Ard.

Rosario’s son was born days after his death.