HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A judge has reduced the $5 million bail set for a man accused of shooting a customer to death in an Ohio Walmart store following an attempted theft, and a hearing has been scheduled on the defendant’s bid to use an insanity defense.
Anthony Freeman Brown, 32, of Hamilton had his bail reduced to $900,000 during a Friday afternoon arraignment in Butler County, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Brown is also seeking to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, and a July 26 date has been set to hear that motion.
Police said a man tried to steal items from the Fairfield Township store’s electronics department shortly before 8 p.m. on May 26. Police said two shoppers tried to stop him. The suspect pulled a gun and fired, killing one customer and seriously wounding an employee.
Adam Lee Black, 35, died at the scene of the shooting on May 26, according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office. The injured person has been released from the hospital, law enforcement officials said. Tracked to a Middletown hotel, Brown was arrested after jumping from a first-floor window, dropping a handgun, police said.
Brown was indicted earlier in the week by a Butler County grand jury on charges of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault and a weapons count.
Defense attorney Clyde Bennett said the bond amount was unconstitutional and would be challenged in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas “and if necessary the 12th District Court of Appeals.” He earlier said that he and his client “look forward to our day in court.”