In 2000, Andre Brown was sentenced to 40 years to life on two counts of attempted murder after teenagers O’Neill Virgo and Shawn Nicholson were shot in the Bronx by a masked gunman. Virgo was seriously injured. Nicholson was paralyzed.

The incident happened in 1999.

Brown appeared at the Bronx Hall of Justice on Wednesday where his legal team presented evidence they say proves his innocence. 

Brown’s attorney, Oscar Michelen, tells News 12 they’ve waited a long time for this. Their request for a hearing was granted in March 2020, but when the pandemic hit, the courts were shut down. 

“It’s really about Andre and that he is finally getting his day in court to prove his innocence,” says Michelen.  

During the hearing, the defense will present new ballistic evidence and two new witnesses. Brown’s lawyers hope this will exonerate him. 

An additional witness will testify on behalf of the defense on Thursday.