A Cumberland County grand jury today indicted a Portland man on an attempted murder charge in connection with the shooting of a Marine sergeant in Portland's Old Port June 24.

Brandon Brown, 21, of Fore Street, faces charges of attempted murder, elevated aggravated assault - both class A felonies - and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, a less serious felony.

Brown is accused of shooting James Sanders, 27, during an altercation outside a bar located near Brown's apartment. Family members have said the bullet severed Sanders' spine and would likely leave him unable to walk.

Brown's lawyer has said the shooting was a case of self-defense. The two men had been in a long-standing feud and when they encountered each other outside the Cactus Club, Brown retreated to his apartment to get his .357 caliber handgun.

If convicted of a class A crime, Brown could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.