Newport
Rahman Brown, shackled at the ankles and wearing an orange jumpsuit, answered “yes” to a series of question posed by Sullivan County Superior Court Judge Brian Tucker, including whether he was guilty of the two charges.
He was sentenced to 15 to 30 years on the attempted murder charge and seven and a half to 15 years on the first-degree assault charge. The sentences will be served at the same time, and he will be on probation for 15 years upon release. Brown, who was from New York and had been living in Claremont for two months, has been incarcerated since his arrest shortly after the incidents.
In the first incident, on Jan. 17, 2016, Brown severely lacerated a man’s lip when he punched him while wearing brass knuckles with a blade attached.
The assault occurred in an apartment of the Trinity Street group home when the victim went to pick up a cellphone from Willie Taylor, who rented the apartment and who was described as Brown’s brother. Taylor was not charged in the assaults but has since pleaded guilty to felony drug charges unrelated to Brown’s case.
In the second incident two days later, Brown stabbed a man who was sitting in his car outside the Trinity Street home. The assault “perforated (the victim’s) spleen, cut his diaphragm, caused a collapsed lung and arterial bleeding,” according to a police report.
The assault stemmed from a planned drug deal between Brown and the victim, who had come up to the area from Manchester, Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway said in court. The attack was recorded by a security camera at a property across the street. The man was able to drive himself to Valley Regional Hospital.
The plea agreement was reached with Hathaway, who told the court it was an “appropriate punishment” given the circumstances and that also allows for supervision in the community post-release and rehabilitation of Brown while he is incarcerated.
“Hopefully during that time he will decide to lead his life in a different, more peaceful and more law-abiding way,” Hathaway said.
Hathaway said he spoke to the victim of the attempted murder and his family about the plea bargain.
The man “has been justifiably fearful of the consequences of his cooperation in this prosecution. He is fearful of Mr. Brown. He has been cooperative but reluctantly, so as we moved forward and he would rather it be resolved through a plea than his having to appear and testify in a trial,” Hathaway said.
The victim of the first-degree assault did not respond to inquiries, Hathaway said.
Brown, who declined an offer to address the court after being sentenced, was represented by attorneys Lauren Breda and Tony Hutchins. Both agreed with Hathaway’s recommendations.
Breda said Brown was born in Bronx, N.Y., grew up poor, was in and out of group homes most of his life and had untreated mental health issues.
She said it was a “perfect storm” of circumstances that led him to be before the court.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
