Robert Odell Brown, 29, was found guilty of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon and failure to stop for a blue light and siren at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial.
Brown shot Deputy Brad James in the face on Nov. 6, 2011. The veteran police officer was working third shift on the county’s south side when he spotted Brown’s blue Pontiac speed past him on Irwin Avenue.
The speeding car made a quick turn on Carolina Drive with James in pursuit. Moments later, the car chase became a foot chase. Brown shot at James 3 times after the men scaled a fence. Bullets hit James in the face and back. James fired his service weapon at Brown 9 times as the defendant fled on foot toward Kimberly Drive.
Brown changed clothes, cut his hair and switched vehicles before fleeing to Charlotte and Virginia where he was arrested after a brief stand-off with state troopers.
Solicitor Barry Barnette and Assistant Solicitor Timi Poulos utilized law enforcement testimony, DNA, fingerprints, video and law witness testimony to prove their case.
“Deputy James showed great courage throughout this life-threatening event,” Barnette said. “He shared critically important information with his peers that led to arrest and successful prosecution of Robert Brown.”
James resumed his patrol duties at the Sheriff’s Office last year and he testified during the trial.
Brown’s prior criminal record included convictions for resisting arrest, receiving stolen goods, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, failure to stop for a blue light and siren and second-degree burglary.
The defendant will serve 80 percent of Circuit Judge Derham Cole’s prison sentence before he is eligible for release.