Defendant Accused of Attempted Murder in Ottawa Decides Against Testifying in Court
In a dramatic turn of events, Anthony Brito, aged 32, was found guilty of attempted murder and three other felonies for a shooting incident that occurred near the Ottawa courthouse on September 12, 2023. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before reaching their verdict.
The evidence presented during the trial painted a clear picture of the events that transpired. According to Blake Miller, who was driving Brito at the time, Brito fired multiple shots from a green SUV at Larry Burns, aiming to kill him. Prosecutors argued that the shooting was retaliatory, as Burns had implicated Brito in another crime. Larry Burns himself testified that Brito pointed a black handgun at him while their vehicles were stopped near the courthouse.
Four shell casings were recovered at the scene, and the crime was determined to have been committed with a firearm. The defense, however, has been casting doubt on the state's forensic evidence and urging the jury to discount the eyewitness testimony of the state's witnesses due to their past legal issues.
Following the guilty verdict on August 9, 2025, Brito faces a projected sentencing range of 26 to 50 years in prison, as stated by the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office. Brito expressed frustration at the trial's end, claiming he did not receive a fair trial, but was immediately taken into custody by corrections officers.
As of mid-August 2025, there is no available update on the exact date for sentencing or any further appeals. The jury’s verdict and the evidence presented seem conclusive in this case.
It is important to note that Brito is accused of not only attempted murder but also aggravated discharge of a firearm, harassing a witness, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The prosecution's case, along with the testimony of witnesses and the physical evidence recovered at the scene, has helped to bring this case to a close.
[1] Ottawa Times, "Anthony Brito Found Guilty of Attempted Murder," August 9, 2025. [2] Ottawa Gazette, "Testimony Continues in Anthony Brito Trial," August 6, 2025.
- The guilty verdict against Anthony Brito on August 9, 2025, has placed the case of the shooting incident near the Ottawa courthouse, involving charges of attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, harassing a witness, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, under the spotlight in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice.
- The sentencing for Anthony Brito, who was found guilty of attempted murder and three other felonies, will likely be a topic of discussion in local politics due to the projected sentencing range of 26 to 50 years in prison as stated by the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.
