Former MPD Officer Charged with Homicide Makes Initial Appearance

Donning a bright yellow suicide prevention vest, former Milwaukee Police Officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown made his initial appearance in court Friday.

The former officer is facing 60 years behind bars, for shooting and killing Sylville Smith. 

A criminal complaint detailing that shooting was released Thursday. 

That complaint details body camera videos obtained from Heaggan-Brown and his partner, as they chased an armed Smith into an alleyway. 

Smith's family has called for that video to be released, but District Attorney John Chisholm says that isn't happening.

     "Any time we commence a criminal prosecution, that becomes part of the court record, and our practice is never to release any evidence related to a case, prior to the conclusion of that case."

An attorney representing Heaggan-Brown says he prefers the video not be released before a potential trial. 

     "I don't know if that's going to help him get a fair trial in this community," said Jonathan Smith. 

Sylville Smith's brother Sudan told CBS-58 on Thursday that he doesn't personally want to see the video, because he doesn't want to watch his brother die. But he does want the public to see it.

      "They need to see the gruesome act this officer did to my brother." 

Smith said his firm is still deciding whether to request a change of venue, due to a potential negative public perception of his client. 

     "We have used that before and successfully obtained a change of venue, so we'll keep an eye on that." 

Heaggan Brown's bail was set at $100,000. 

He's due back in court for a preliminary hearing on December 23rd.