LSU Rape Case: Defense Attempts to Shift Blame, Outrages Victim's Family

Amidst the ongoing trial involving the alleged rape of LSU sophomore Madison Brooks, defense lawyers for the accused suspects have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest and biased decision-making by the presiding judge.

In the high-profile criminal case accusing Black men of raping Madison Brooks, an LSU student, defense lawyers have attempted to shift blame onto the victim, sparking outrage among her family. The victim's mother, through her attorney Kerry Miller, has vehemently rejected these claims, labeling them as "classic victim blaming."

The case has taken a complex turn with the presiding judge, Gail Horne Ray, facing scrutiny for her previous decisions, including dismissing a 1972 rape conviction and releasing a rape suspect on reduced bail without informing the victim or district attorney's office. Ray's son's conviction for serial rape and her lifetime membership in the NAACP have raised further concerns about conflicts of interest.

Madison Brooks, 19, was allegedly raped in January 2023 before being fatally struck by a car. The four suspects involved, Kaivon Washington, Everett Lee, Casen Carver, and Desmond Carter, have pleaded not guilty and maintained their innocence. Their lawyers have argued that the sex was consensual and have gone so far as to suggest that the case would not be a crime if Brooks had not died.

Defense attorney Joe Long has asserted that the prosecution is obstructing their access to evidence and that they will challenge Brooks' blood alcohol content at the time of the alleged sexual contact. The prosecution maintains that Brooks' blood alcohol level was .319%, well above the legal limit.

The case has drawn national attention and has become mired in controversy. The defense's strategy of victim-blaming has angered the victim's family and raised concerns about the fairness of the trial.

In a separate development, Judge Ray's unprecedented decision to dismiss the 1972 rape conviction has been challenged by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III. Moore argued that the judge lacked the authority to make such a decision without a formal parole process and that the defense had already presented the argument in the early 1990s, which was rejected.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has issued a stay in the dispute, pausing any further action until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the matter.

The presiding judge and lead prosecutor in the Madison Brooks case are both central figures in the trial, making the potential for bias all the more concerning. Ray's decisions and long-standing ties to the NAACP, coupled with her son's history of rape, have raised questions about whether she can impartially adjudicate the case.

The victim's family lawyer has declined to comment on the judge's decisions, but the family awaits the state Supreme Court's ruling on the 1972 rape conviction case.

As the trial continues, it remains to be seen whether the defense's attempts to shift blame and the potential conflicts of interest will impact the outcome. The case has highlighted the complexities and challenges in addressing sexual assault, particularly when the accused are Black and the victim is White.