Brownfield pleads on reduced charges in May 2015 chase
An Atchison man charged with attempted second-degree murder of a Jackson County deputy during a March 2015 chase through three counties pleaded no contest to reduced charges on Friday in Jackson County District Court.
An amended criminal complaint against Ryan M. Brownfield, 25, filed in district court on Thursday, added the charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer in connection with the March 2015 incident. Brownfield pleaded no contest to the charge and also to the charge of fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.
District Court Judge Norbert Marek accepted Brownfield’s plea and scheduled a sentencing date of Friday, Oct. 14. Brownfield remains at the Jackson County Detention Center, where he is currently being held on $250,000 cash or surety bond.
Brownfield’s attorney, Christopher Etzel of Onaga, said the aggravated assault charge was a Level 6 felony that carries a sentencing range of 34 to 38 months imprisonment, and Etzel asked Marek to consider the minimum amount of time when sentencing Brownfield. Marek said he would take the sentencing recommendation under advisement but was not bound to follow the recommendation.
The original complaint against Brownfield included charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, obstructing official duty and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. Marek agreed to dismiss the first three charges as part of the plea deal.
Brownfield was charged in connection with the March 12, 2015 chase, which began shortly after he reportedly stole a vehicle from an Atchison dealership, then crossed into Jefferson County and later into Jackson County. He reportedly attempted to strike a Jackson County deputy with the stolen vehicle before heading back into Jefferson County, where the chase ended.
