Man accused in deadly Walmart shooting to be in court today

A man accused of firing shots inside a Fairfield Twp. Walmart resulting in the death of a customer and injuries to one worker is scheduled to be back in Butler County Common Pleas Court today.

Anthony F. Brown, 32, of Hamilton, who is charged with aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault and having weapons under disability, is set to appear for a competency evaluation hearing before Judge Dan Haughey.

Defense attorney Clyde Bennett II has filed a “not guilty by reason of insanity” plea on Brown’s behalf. He also questions his client’s competency to stand trial, meaning Brown is unable to assist in his own defense.

A forensic psychological evaluation was ordered, and today’s hearing is to hear the results pertaining to Brown’s competency for trial. Brown is being held without bond in the May 26 crime.

Bennett previously told the Journal-News after having conversations with Brown, “he did not appear to be mentally normal.”

“He could not assist me with my defense. He did not appear to be lucid. Therefore his competency is an issue,” Bennett said. “When I sat with him after the Walmart incident he could not assist in his defense. If you can’t tell me what happened and you don’t know what happened and this is all a mystery and a fog to you, well hell, how do I know you knew what happened when it happened?”

Brown was free on $200,000 bond at the time of the Walmart incident for an alleged armed robbery in Hamilton in October.

Brown, while allegedly trying to steal cellphones, is accused of shooting and killing Adam Black, 35, a Hamilton man who had recently moved to the area and who just learned he was going to be a father. Brown is also accused of shooting and wounding Eric Ruff, 57, of Fairfield, a Walmart employee who has been released from the hospital and is recovering.

A SWAT team took Brown into custody at a Fairfield Inn in Middletown several hours after the shooting. Gmoser said the investigation is continuing, including how Brown got to the Middletown hotel after the shootings.

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