Utica, NY -- The man accused of shooting an Oneida County sheriff’s deputy while fleeing a bank robbery in Rome in July pleaded not guilty to 12 felony charges. Brian J. Brown, 31, of Utica, was arraigned this morning on counts of robbery, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated assault of a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon. Brown...
Brian J. BrownUtica, NY -- The man accused of shooting an Oneida County sheriff’s deputy while fleeing a bank robbery in Rome in July pleaded not guilty to 12 felony charges.
Brian J. Brown, 31, of Utica, was arraigned this morning on counts of robbery, attempted aggravated murder, aggravated assault of a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.
Brown and his cousin, Ikiko Brown, 24, are accused in the robbery of the Rome branch of NBT bank July 29 and a similar armed robbery in Utica in May.
Prosecutors said Brian Brown fired his gun in each robbery and wounded Deputy Michael Burger in a gunfight after a 15-mile car chase following the Rome incident. Ikiko Brown faces felony charges for driving the getaway car in both robberies.
Assistant District Attorney Kurt Hameline said Burger suffered severe damage to his right ankle and called the injury “career-threatening.”
“He has no feeling in his foot right now,” he said. “It pretty much destroyed the bones in his ankle.”
If Brian Brown accepts a plea bargain currently on the table, he would serve 30 years to life in prison. He is being held without bail.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.