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BLOOMINGTON — An assistant professor at Illinois Wesleyan University asked that his arraignment on weapons charges be delayed Friday until he can hire a private attorney.

Darryl L. Brown, 51, is accused of firing 13 shots into the doorknob of a bedroom where a woman and three children were hiding during a Dec. 11 dispute at his Bloomington home.

During a brief court appearance, Brown told Judge Casey Costigan that he intends to hire private counsel before his next court appearance on Jan. 13. Brown declined the services of the McLean County Public Defender's office.

He faces charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm and endangering the life of a child.

According to authorities, Brown was drinking heavily in the hours before the incident at his home on Downing Circle and became upset with a comment the woman made while watching a movie.

The argument became heated after Brown returned from buying more alcohol and found the house locked. He threatened suicide-by-cop and broke into the house where he found the woman and three chailren — ages 2 through 7 — hiding in a bedroom, said police.