Former Milwaukee Officer Heaggan-Brown Pleads Not Guilty In Shooting

A former Milwaukee police officer accused of fatally shooting a black man has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree reckless homicide charge.

Dominique Heaggan-Brown’s attorney, Steven Kohn, entered the plea Friday after waiving Heaggan-Brown’s preliminary hearing when a judge would have decided whether there is enough evidence to continue to trial.

The waiving of the preliminary hearing prevented the police video of the incident being shown by District Attorney John Chisholm.

Chisholm filed the charge last week in connection with Sylville Smith’s death in August and said Friday he was prepared to show the body camera footage of the shooting during the preliminary hearing Friday.

“The only time that I will ever put out any evidence related to the case is within the context of the litigation itself. that’s my ethical obligation,” Chisholm said. “We don’t draw undue attention to the case or try the case in the press or anything like that.”

Smith’s brother, Sedan Smith, said Friday he wants people to see the footage.

“The public needs to see what type of police we see on the streets today. What type of law enforcement we have sworn in to protect us,” Smith said.

Smith claims Heaggan-Brown “executed” his brother. But Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn has said Heaggan-Brown had only a few seconds to react to a fast-developing situation.

According to a criminal complaint, Smith, who is African-American, fled from Heaggan-Brown during a traffic stop in August. Heaggan-Brown’s body camera shows Smith raised a gun while facing the police officer. Heaggan-Brown, who is black, shot Smith in the arm. Smith then either threw the gun away or it flew out of his hand. Heaggan-Brown shot him again in the chest.

Heaggan-Brown’s defense lawyers now have a copy of the video, Chisholm said. The defense declined commenting this morning but have said they’re concerned the footage would affect a trial.

The killing sparked two nights of protests.

Editor’s Note: This story was last updated at 12:56 p.m. Friday.