Kenneth Michaels arrives for his arraignment in September in the homicide case. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette

Accused killer Kenneth Michaels, charged in last month’s shooting death of his former business partner and brother-in-law, was brought back to Lycoming County on Thursday from Cape May, New Jersey, to be arraigned on charges of criminal homicide and possession of an instrument of crime.

With Lycoming Regional Police officers and a county detective, Michaels, 65, of 1456 Tallman Hollow Road, Montoursville, arrived at the office of District Judge William Solomon about 3 p.m. for his arraignment.

Defense attorney Michael J. Rudinski sat next to him.

Four members of Michaels’ family sat quietly in the hearing room during the proceedings, which lasted less than five minutes. Michaels was arrested in New Jersey on Sept. 1 on the homicide warrant, and has been incarcerated there since then.

Charged with shooting John Roskowski, 69, of Williamsport, in the abdomen, Michaels waived extradition.

The shooting occurred in the lobby of Cables Services Company, 2113 Marydale Ave., in Old Lycoming Township about 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 17.

Roskowski was rushed by ambulance to UPMC Williamsport, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Michaels is the company’s chief executive officer, and Roskowski was a former part owner of the company. Michaels told Solomon he has been with Cable Services for 40 years.

Michaels was automatically committed to the Lycoming County Prison on no bail.

On the morning of the shooting, Michaels was taken from the scene, questioned at police headquarters and released.

At the end of the arraignment, Rudinski told a reporter Michaels had no criminal record and that his client was told he was free to travel after he was released by police on the morning of the shooting. “He offered to turn himself in,” the defense attorney said.