Accused Southport cop killer makes court appearance
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The man accused of killing Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday afternoon.
It was 28-year-old Jason Brown’s first court appearance in the case. He was previously scheduled two other times to appear but could not due to being hospitalized.
With his head down, face bruised and battered, and hands shackled and officers in front, behind and on each side of him, Brown bypassed a pack of media waiting to get a glimpse and hopefully a word from him. He didn’t answer any questions as he made his way to court.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry charged him with Allan’s death. Investigators believe Brown was driving erratically on Madison Avenue near Southport on July 27 when he flipped his car. Allan responded. Brown dangled upside-down in the vehicle, and Allan tried to free him. That’s when, prosecutors believe, Brown pulled out a gun and shot Allan 11 times, killing him. Another officer shot Brown three times. He was hospitalized but recovered.
“A senseless act and we are as offended and upset about that as anybody. Probably more because we work with our police partners every single day,” Curry said.
In Criminal Court Room 3, Brown’s hearing was short, lasting only minutes. Curry wouldn’t say what, if anything, provoked Brown.
“Anything that’s not in the public record, I can’t speak to. We have obtained the defendant’s medical records from (Sidney and Lois) Eskenazi (Hospital), additional forensic work that needs to be done,” he said.
In the meantime, Brown will be transferred from the Marion County Jail to an Indiana Department of Correction facility because of safety concerns. He was being held without bond.
“The sheriff has an obligation to keep safe anyone within his care and custody; whether that’s someone arrested for public intoxication or murder. So, certainly, until someone is convicted of a crime, they deserve to be kept in a safe and secure environment,” Curry said.
A jury trial has been set for Oct. 16, but Curry said it’s likely that date will be pushed back to a later time.
Curry also said whether or not his office pursues the death penalty is contingent on the wishes of Allan’s family and Brown’s defense council. He said because this case involves an officer who died while serving, that qualifies Brown for the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.
Brown also faces a charge of possession of marijuana, which is a misdemeanor.