Ossie Brown

Who was Ossie Brown?

Ossie B. Brown was a Baton Rouge Democrat who served two six-year terms as district attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, from 1972 to 1984. In 1970, he successfully defended United States Army Sergeant David Mitchell in the My Lai Massacre cases. Brown was also a talented musician and an active Baptist layman.

Ossie Brown was born to George F. Brown and the former Lovie Phenald in Winnfield, the seat of Winn Parish and the traditional home of the Long political dynasty. He was reared in Baker in East Baton Rouge Parish and graduated from Baker High School, where he was named president of Boys State and composed the Baker High alma mater. He attended Napa Junior College in Napa, California, and then entered the United States Navy during World War II. Thereafter, he procured his Bachelor of Arts degree in pre-law from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he was the university drum major. He lettered in basketball and tennis and was president of Sigma Chi social fraternity. Brown also graduated from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He then launched a half-century-long criminal law practice in Baton Rouge. Prior to his tenure as district attorney, Brown was the Baton Rouge municipal court judge. In 1970, former LSU quarterback and future East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Pat Screen joined Brown's firm.