FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – The ex-marine who was charged in the 2019 death of his stepfather was found not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges but one.
He will spend time in a mental hospital after the murder of his stepfather Rodney Brown on Nov. 9, 2019.
Michael Brown, who led police on a nationwide manhunt for nearly 18 days, faced seven charges for allegedly shooting and killing Brown.
The judge found Brown not guilty by reason of insanity on the following charges:
- First-degree murder of Rodney Wilfred Brown
- Use of a firearm while committing murder
- Breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor, except assault and battery or trespass, while armed with a deadly weapon
- Larceny of a firearm belonging to Rodney Brown
- Use of a firearm while committing burglary
- Stealing Rodney Brown’s credit card
Both prosecutors and the defense agreed this is a unique case because of Brown’s rare dissociative amnesia diagnosis.
The judge said that she does believe Brown was insane at the time of the murder.
After the trial on Wednesday, his defense attorney, Deborah Caldwell-Bono, said the judge made the right call.
“He’s grateful to have the opportunity to go there and get the help that he needs so he can hopefully return to society rather soon and continue to be a productive citizen,” said Caldwell-Bono.
During closing arguments, the defense said that trauma and dissociative amnesia go hand in hand, citing the chronic physical and mental abuse Brown suffered at the hands of his stepfather.
The defense also detailed the family history of mental illness as Brown’s mother spent years in a mental hospital during his childhood.
The Commonwealth argued that Brown knew what he was doing and spent significant time and effort planning the murder, citing the arsenal of weapons found inside Brown’s RV, his writings about the murder, as well as the fact that he’d lied to get out of trouble in the Marines before.
Brown did agree to a plea deal and was found guilty on the felony charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny when he snuck back into his stepfather’s house after the murder for shelter and food.
Brown also agreed to never possess a firearm again and never petition to own a firearm in the future.
He received a 10-year prison sentence; however, the judge suspended all of that sentence, meaning he will not serve any prison time for it.
“Given the role that firearms played, we are very grateful, able to secure that conviction,” said Commonwealth Attorney A.J. Dudley.
While Brown is in a mental health facility. Caldwell-Bono said that while Brown is in a mental health facility, his status will be re-evaluated every six months.
“He needs help, he doesn’t need to be locked up,” said Caldwell-Bono.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney said the commonwealth doesn’t have the right to appeal and the defense said it doesn’t plan to.