Psychiatric defense could be used in Allentown double murder case, not guilty plea entered
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A psychiatric defense could be used in the Allentown double murder case that resulted in the deaths of two prominent artists earlier this month, Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said Wednesday.
Bryan Chiclana, 34, pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. He is accused of killing 40-year-old Michael "Mickey" Harmon, the co-owner of The Good Stuff on Allen Street, and his partner, 37-year-old Jordan Celotto, at their St. Louis Place home on March 4. It is believed that he broke into the home through a basement window.
Keane indicated during a news conference on Wednesday that Chiclana's attorneys may use a psychiatric defense for Chiclana, which would argue that he cannot be held legally responsible for his alleged actions due to mental illness.
Chiclana's attorneys would have to provide a notice to prosecutors that they will go that route within 30 days of the arraignment, which Erie County Supreme Court Judge William Boller ordered them to do. The case will be back in court on April 21. Prosecutors hope a trial date will be set at the next court date.
"It's going to be their decision as to whether they're going to defend this case in that way," Keane said Wednesday. "It's not really appropriate for me to speculate on what their intentions are or how they will make that decision. But we don't want there to be any kind of delay in this case as a result of that decision."
Keane clarified that Chiclana's attorneys have not asked for him to be evaluated to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.
As for his charges, the first-degree murder charge is for the alleged killings of Harmon and Celotto during the same "criminal transaction." The two second-degree murder charges are for each alleged killing. If Chiclana is convicted of the first-degree murder charge, that comes with a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Keane said there is still no evidence that it was a hate crime. Instead, it was believed to be a random attack.
"As I think Councilman [Mitch] Nowakowski properly stated, as disturbing as those kinds of cases are, hate crimes, this case is also very disturbing," Keane said. "This is people's worst nightmare. This is a stranger, and I think the evidence is going to show he broke into the basement through a window, and commits murder, murders these two men. Complete strangers."
Chiclana continues to be held without bail.
You can watch Wednesday's full update with Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane in the video player above.
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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.