Madison County prosecutors said in court today today they will seek the death penalty against LaJeromeny Brown for allegedly firing eight rounds and killing Huntsville police officer Billy Clardy III in a December drug stakeout.
Brown appeared before District Judge Patrick Tuten for a preliminary hearing in a small courtroom filled to standing room with law enforcement officers. Tuten found enough evidence at the hearing to send Brown’s case to a grand jury, but said he would consider the defense request for bond. Prosecutors said they will fight Brown’s release.
The only witness testifying in the hearing was Huntsville police Investigator Chris Hines, according to WHNT-TV News 19. Hines gave his account of the Dec. 6, 2019 events that led to Clardy’s death and Brown’s arrest. Clardy and Hines were members of a multi-agency Strategic Counterdrug Team (STAC) team that handles drug cases.
Hines said the team had decided to target Brown in a drug buy operation involving 100 pounds of marijuana. He said they had identified Brown as a target after an earlier drug buy in a parking lot. The deal was to happen at the house on Levert Street in northeast Huntsville where Clardy was shot.
Hines said Clardy and two other agents were in the house awaiting Brown’s arrival with the drugs. Brown drove up and parked in the yard in front of the house, not where police expected, resulting in some confusion. One officer went to the back of the house, and Clardy and another officer were inside in a room next to the front door.
Hines said Brown brought a suitcase and other bags to the porch, and police watching outside alerted Clardy and the other officer inside. Clardy’s job was to step up and arrest Brown.
Brown opened the front door, Clardy emerged and Hines said no words were spoken before Brown fired eight shots from a 9 mm Glock pistol that had been modified to fire on full automatic, WHNT reported. Clardy was hit twice, and Brown turned and ran. The officer with Clardy fired one shot at Brown’s truck, thinking he was inside, but Brown was running.
Some officers tried to help Clardy while others waiting in their cars pursued Brown. He was arrested about 100 yards from that point with no gun in his possession. He told officers he was in the area looking for foreclosed houses. He would not answer questions.
Police say they confiscated about 106 pounds of marijuana.
Brown’s attorneys questioned if police had identified themselves and said Brown was afraid of being robbed.
Prosecutors said Clardy was wearing a vest with “police” on the front.
Source: al.com, Lee Roop, January 27, 2020
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