A $500,000 bond was set Thursday for a Mansfield man accused of killing De Carrio Couley, 25, Tuesday night.

Christopher Brown, 27, pleaded not guilty to murder before magistrate Phil Naumoff in Mansfield Municipal Court.

Brown's attorney, Anica Blazef-Horner, argued for a reduction in bond. Blazef-Horner said Brown has significant  ties in the community and is the father of a 3-month-old daughter. She said Brown turned himself in to authorities and is not a flight risk.

Naumoff denied the bond reduction request, instead accepting the prosecutor's office recommendation for the $500,000 bond. Naumoff said at this point and time because of the severity of the alleged crime, the bond is set at $500,000. Naumoff said Brown is not to have any contact with the victim's family and ordered electronic monitoring.

Brown turned himself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon at the Mansfield Municipal Building.

Mansfield Police detectives and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force had been searching for Brown.

Authorities say Brown shot Couley multiple times in the upper body around 8:15 p.m. in the driveway at 252 Sycamore St. on March 9.

Mansfield Police Officer Dave Johnson was in the area at the time and witnessed the two men arguing and the shooting.

Couley was transported to MedCentral Mansfield Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Brown faces a first-degree felony count of murder which carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.