‘Beefy’ Brown not guilty of murder in cop’s death
Sixteen months after he was arrested in a Briarwood townhouse for the crime, yesterday Douglas Michael "Beefy" Brown Jr. was found not guilty of murder in Colonial Heights Circuit Court for his role in the death of a police officer, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. On August 12, 2006, Chesterfield County police were in a 110mph pursuit of the Barboursville man when one police cruiser crashed into the car of off-duty Colonial Heights police Lt. James Sears. Judge Herbert C. Gill decided to convict Brown of involuntary manslaughter, saying that however tragic Sears' death was, it was not a direct result of Brown's reckless driving, and it was "merely a coincidence." Gill also found Brown guilty of felony counts of eluding police, hit-and-run driving, and being a habitual traffic offender, all of which add up to a maximum of 30 years in prison.
Brown is familiar to local law enforcement. In 2003, while in Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail awaiting trial on charges of methadone possession and grand larceny, Brown attempted to stab a corrections officer through his cell bars with the axle he had broken off a restraining chair. According to the incident report, he subsequently threw urine, feces and other pieces of the chair at the officer.
On March 22, 2003, with the additional charge of assault of a law enforcement officer, visiting judge David Berry sentenced Brown to 16 years, with all but 3-1/2 years suspended, plus two years' probation.
Brown walked on May 18, 2005, only to be back in court on April 5, 2006 for violating his probation and for possession of marijuana and cocaine. But instead of reinstating Brown's suspended sentence, then-presiding judge Paul "Mac" Peatross revoked 12 years of the suspended sentence, suspended the remaining six months, and ordered Brown to the Boxwood Rehabilitation Center in Culpeper.
On June 13, 2006, two days after completing the two-week program at Boxwood, Brown reported to his probation officer. This was the last Albemarle authorities heard from Brown, as he missed his next three probation meetings, the last scheduled for August 9, three days before his chase with Chesterfield police.
Brown's sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11.
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8 comments
"...and ordered Brown to the Boxwood Rehabilitation Center in Culpeper." Now that he has proven that he can not be rehabilitated, can he get all 30 years he is eligible for? Oh, that's right, drug use is a "victimless crime" and he should have to put in another two weeks in rehab.
What is an axle on a restraining chair?
What happened to the woman who housed him for 3 days. I heard she had his brother there also so she must have known.
Fascinating. Thank you.
Excellent question, Dave. According to the incident report, this particular restraining chair was outfitted with two wheels and an axle so corrections officers could transport an unruly inmate while still rendering him immobile.
Thanks for reading,
Lindsay Barnes
Oh you know she was aware he was on the run. She was never charged for harboring this monster when she should have been. That townhouse was full of street scum and drug addicts, I have heard she has since been evicted and is staying with friends. She is a good one to avoid.
This guy is a monster and doesn't deserve to see the light of day again. He has no respect for anyone in the world and no respect for the law. He has no place in society or he will just hurt someone else. Why have the juges in the past not put this animal away for good? Why do they keep letting him get out jail? If had had been in jail then Lt. James Spears would be alive today and be spending Christmas with his wife and children. What was Judge Peatross's reasoning for revoking 12 years of jail time? Would the judge have any responsibility to bear? Why has our judicial system failed so miserabley over this monster? Where are the judges that will protect the public? Are there any out there? I think the Albemarle, Charlottesville, and University Police departmets are all top notch and do a wonderful job protecting our area, but what good is it with bleeding heart judges?
bleeding heart judges are a good fit for this area.