Crime & Safety

Alleged Attacker With Prior Conviction Remains Jailed

Morristown resident charged with alleged assault outside American Legion on Abbett Avenue.

Bail was maintained at $150,000 for a Morristown man accused of severely beating a man in front of the American Legion on Abbett Avenue two weeks ago.

Bryan Mills, 37, of Liberty Street, appeared Wednesday before Morris County Superior Court Judge Mary Gibbons Whipple via teleconference from the Morris County Detention Center following his Monday arrest. Mills has been charged with the Jan. 18 aggravated assault of an individual being publicly identified as "O.B."

The victim remains hospitalized, Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Scibetta said, relaying information from a Morristown Police Department detective that the victim had a fractured skull, broken nose and "serious and significant trauma."

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The attorney told the judge Wednesday how Mills "punched, kicked and stomped the victim" and of the accused man's "significant criminal history," resulting in several years in prison for incidents in 1996 and 1998, as well as Mills' guilty plea in 2003 after he allegedly shot a man in the face over an argument about a cigarette, he said. That conviction of second-degree aggravated assault and second-degree possession of a firearm resulted in a seven-year sentence.

Mills also has several parole violations, has failed to appear in court seven times as well as outstanding charges, including contempt of court in Parsippany and owing more than $5,000 in child support, Scibetta said.

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"He has not done well outside of state prison," the attorney said, indicating Mills was a "serious flight risk."

Mills, appearing via teleconference, told the judge he has lived with his parents at their Liberty Street residence for at least 25 years. He is currently unemployed, working "odd jobs" to help support his children, he said.

Mills is scheduled to again appear before the court on Feb. 14.


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