Closing arguments conclude in Pedro Bravo murder trial

Prosecutor says Bravo was 'homicidal' not 'suicidal'

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Closing arguments were heard Friday in the Pedro Bravo murder trial, and now it's up to a jury to decide his fate.

Jurors have spent the past two weeks absorbing a stream of evidence in the case in which prosecutors believe ties the 20-year-old to the killing of Christian Aguilar.

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"Sept. 20th is the day of the murder," said prosecutor Bill Ezzell. "He will follow the plan that he set out for himself and the one he decided upon."

Ezzell reminded the jury of Bravo's own writings in personal journals where he professed his love for an ex-girlfriend and his desire to get her back.

Erika Friman was dating Aguilar at the time of his disappearance in September 2012.

The three became mutual friends while attending high school at Doral Academy before they wound up in Gainesville together for college.

Friman, who testified last week, was seated in the courtroom Friday to hear the closing statements.

"July 2012, she shut me out of Facebook today. A piece of my world is ending," said Ezzell as he read a previously written statement from Bravo.

The writings also indicated thoughts of suicide and references to death.

"That letter is not suicidal. It's homicidal," said Ezzell. "He's going to plan a murder."

Aguilar's body was found three weeks after he was reported missing. The remains of the University of Florida freshman were partially buried in a remote field.

Aguilar (pictured) was last seen alive with Bravo. Bravo admitted the two were in a violent fistfight shortly before the disappearance.

Aguilar's blood was found in Bravo's SUV and store surveillance video captured Bravo purchasing duct tape, a hunting knife, intoxicating over the counter drugs and a shovel.

"And a shovel is going to be found at his apartment," said Ezzell.

Soil samples from the shovel matched dirt from the grave site and dirt on Bravo's vehicle, which he took to a car wash in the overnight hours of the day Aguilar was reported missing.

On Thursday, Bravo testified in his own defense, telling the jury that the shovel was for his own suicidal plans.

"In a way, I was going to go find a spot and I was going to mark my tomb and I was going to dig it," said Bravo.

Bravo also said the poisonous concoction was for himself, and he hid the shovel after changing his mind about suicide. He said he decided to put it underneath a boardwalk to preserve moss that was growing on it.

The jury began deliberating late Friday afternoon. They will determine whether Bravo is guilty of first-degree murder and a host of other charges.