'It cuts like a knife': Madison Brooks' family lawyer slams video showing late LSU student in car with alleged rapists
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA: Kerry Miller, the lawyer representing the family of a Louisiana State University sophomore, has slammed a new video showing the victim moments before her death. Madison Brooks, 19, can be seen in the back of a car with her alleged rapists. In the video, Brooks can be heard slurring as she calls the driver 'gay' and hurls insults at the men.
While the suspect's lawyers released the short clip, Miller, who is representing Brook's mother, Ashley Baustert, stated that releasing this video has been 'hurtful and shameful.' Miller said, every clip released by the defense 'cuts like a knife' into the late student's family. Kaivon Washington, 18, Everette Lee, 28, Casen Carver, 18, and Desmond Carter, 17, are the suspects in Brooks' case. On January 15, the men allegedly raped Brooks and tossed her out of the car. She was then reportedly hit by a ride-sharing vehicle. However, two good Samaritans stopped by to perform CPR. Unfortunately, Brooks tragically died.
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What is Madison Brooks saying in the video?
In the portion of the new video that was released, Brooks is seen arguing with the men while seated in the back of the car, seemingly getting out of it. She said, "I'm sorry that I offended you that bad," she told the driver, Carver. As she slurs, she can be heard saying, "Get out. Get out. I'll call an Uber on my own." In the 29-second clip, Brooks can be heard hurling insults at the men and calling the driver 'gay.'
After the release of the video, Brooks' family lawyer, Miller, said, "Under Louisiana law, this is rape. We were deeply offended by blaming the victim and statements that if she hadn't been hit, she wouldn't be complaining of things. We thought that was deeply offensive and plain wrong."
Meanwhile, in January, another 4-second clip was also leaked by the defense, where Brooks can be seen jogging behind the four alleged suspects. Back then, Brooks' lawyer claimed, "It's one thing to defend your clients. It's another to try the case in the media. It shows a level of desperation."
What are the claims of the defense?
As the defense released the 29-second clip, they claimed that the video was recorded after two of their clients and Brooks engaged in sexual acts consensually. Describing the video, attorney Ron Haley said, "Speaking, engaging in conversations ... very vulgar language to the driver of the vehicle," as per WBRZ. He further added, "Implying that he's not straight based on him not wanting to engage in certain activities with her. It doesn't put anyone in the best light, but again, not being put in the best light isn't the same thing as rape."
What are the charges against the suspects?
Carter, 17, is charged with first-degree rape, which carries a sentence of life in prison without parole, and third-degree rape. Washington, 18, is also charged with third-degree rape. Carver, 18, and Lee, 28, have been charged with principal to third-degree rape, as per The Independent. Given that Carter is 17 and a minor, there was disagreement over the charges that should be brought against him. Yet a grand jury has determined that he will be charged as an adult.