Carpentersville man pleads not guilty to murder

A Carpentersville man pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree murder charges in the October shooting death of a 25-year-old man.

Errick L. Brown, 39, of the 100 block of Amarillo Drive, faces 45 years to life in prison if convicted, Kane County Judge Thomas E. Mueller said at an arraignment hearing.

Police say Brown shot Joseph Vonner of DeKalb in the back and head on Oct. 10, 2009, as the victim left a party at his residence. The shooting may have been sparked by an argument over drugs or money, police said. At least four shots were fired.

The victim's father has said Vonner had been staying for several months with a friend who shared Brown's residence, and the two may have had previous run-ins. Although Brown was charged within days of Vonner's death, it was 11 weeks before he turned himself over to police.

Brown, who returns to court March 25, remained in the county jail Thursday with bond set at $2 million. As security led him out of the courtroom, several people in the audience waved at him and called out, "We love you."