'He's hurt a lot of people:' Man accused of shooting, killing Kiara Brown pleads not guilty



Marvin Patterson



MILWAUKEE -- Marvin Patterson, 19, the Milwaukee man charged in connection with the shooting death of Kiara Brown, 18, was in court on Monday, April 9 for his preliminary hearing. He's accused of shooting Brown in the head, and leaving her to die in a vehicle in an alley.

During the hearing, a Milwaukee police detective testified, after Patterson allegedly confessed to the crime to this detective. The detective testified that Patterson did implicate himself in Brown's death.

"He said he, at one point, took the gun in his hand, pointed it at her head and pulled the trigger. He said that it was a horrible mistake -- accident," the detective said.

The court approved a stipulation to the cause of death being ruled a homicide due to a singe through and through gunshot wound to the head. Patterson's attorney issued a motion to dismiss the case, which was denied. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and Patterson was bound over for trial. He has pleaded not guilty.

Marvin Patterson



A scheduling conference was set for April 18.

Kiara Brown's mother, Kenisha Brown, was emotional as she spoke with FOX6 News after Patterson's preliminary hearing.

"He didn't even turn around. He know people wanted to see his face. He knows that, you know, I just wanted to look him in his eye, you know, so that he could see, you know -- all what he did to everybody, not just to me. Everybody. He hurt a lot of people taking my daughter away," said Kenisha Brown.

Kenisha Brown



Kenisha Brown said loved ones laid Kiara Brown to rest on Friday, April 6.

"He needs to feel our pain. He needs to feel our pain, you know? See our pain that we have. All we have is memories and pain. It's sad. Pray that he never gets out of jail,  because this is inexcusable. I can't explain how it feels. I just know it hurts, and he doesn't know what he done to this family, you know? He's hurt a lot of people. A lot," said Kenisha Brown.

Patterson has been charged with one count of first degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon.

During Patterson's initial appearance, the state asked for bail to be set at $150,000. The defense requested a much lower amount.

"He's been in Milwaukee his whole life. In 2017, he graduated from Vincent High School," Patterson's defense said. "He was working up until his current incarceration at Walmart and Timbercare. He has no record. He did turn himself in."

According to the criminal complaint, officers were dispatched to the 98th and Carmen in Milwaukee around 5:30 a.m. on March 26 for the report of a person shot in a vehicle. Police had been alerted by a citizen --  who had observed a white car blocking an alley with the driver's door open.

Kiara Brown



The citizen did not observe anyone in the driver’s seat, but did observe a woman, who appeared to be dead, in the passenger seat. According to police, Brown was shot inside a vehicle at that location and died from her injuries.

Homicide near 99th and Carmen



Homicide near 99th and Carmen



Patterson told investigators that he then decided to point the gun at Brown's head -- and when he did so, the gun went off. Patterson told detectives he didn't intend to kill Brown. After the shooting, Patterson says he "freaked out" and drove the car into an alley and left the scene.

Brown's mother told FOX6 News Patterson came to Brown's home prior to the shooting.

"It was out of the blue. She didn't plan on heading anywhere. She thought she was going to come out and go back in and he drove off like -- 'you're coming with me.' Why? Why? I've got so much anger in me now. It hurts so bad," said Kenisha Brown, Kiara's mother.

Kiara Brown (PHOTO: GoFundMe.com)



Those who knew and loved Brown say she was hard-working, and a fun-loving girl who was succeeding at Vincent High School. She was many things to many people.

"That was my oldest and that was my heart," said Kenisha Brown.

"That was my first grandchild," said Gwen Perry, Kiara's grandmother.

"Kiara was my best friend. My only best friend for eight years. I'm about to graduate for her -- go to prom for her. I'm going to live my life for her, and she will always live on in my soul," said Carissa Bonds.

Brown was set to graduate from Vincent High School this spring. She had dreams of becoming a model and artist.

The court commissioner ultimately set bail at $100,000 during his initial court appearance -- and shared a message for the public.

"It's one of those moments on why young people in my estimation, should not be in possession of firearms. Inexperience, unable to properly deal with your firearm. And then these sort of tragedies occur," Court Commissioner Robert Webb Jr. said.


If convicted, Patterson could face up to 60 years in prison.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe.com account has been set up in Kiara Brown's honor. CLICK HERE to access that account.