Maleak Brown found guilty in 2022 shooting death of a Festus man

(Festus, Hillsboro) On Thursday, a jury found 23-year-old Maleak Brown guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. On June 15, 2022, the defendant shot Marcus James of Festus while the victim was in his apartment. Brown had two places of residence at the time of the shooting, one in Barnhart and the other in Centerville, Illinois.

According to the probable-cause statement in the case, witnesses told officers that Brown and James had a physical altercation in a downstairs apartment at the complex, and then James went to his apartment upstairs and Brown went to his car and retrieved a firearm. After that, Brown allegedly went to James’ apartment and tried to get inside but could not and then fired through the door five times, striking James and killing him, the report said.

First Assistant Courtney Goodwin and Assistant Prosecutor Erik McCreary handled the prosecution. The case was heard by Presiding Judge Stacy. Sentencing for Maleak Brown will be held on October 19th in Division 4.