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ThoughtExperiment
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He still respects you. I hope you know that.
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Ex-Cowboy Josh Brent convicted
Updated: January 22, 2014, 5:04 PM ET
Associated Press
DALLAS -- Former Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter Wednesday for a fiery wreck that killed his teammate and close friend, Jerry Brown.
Brent, 25, showed no reaction when he learned the verdict. He was led from the courtroom in handcuffs in front of crying family members who were in the front row of the courtroom gallery.
He faces up to 20 years in prison, though he could also get probation.
Brent was charged in a December 2012 wreck in a Dallas suburb that killed Brown, a practice squad linebacker who was Brent's close friend and also a teammate at the University of Illinois.
The two men were headed home from partying with fellow Cowboys at a nightclub when Brent lost control of his Mercedes, causing a fiery accident. Officers who arrived on scene said Brent was seen trying to pull Brown's body from the wreckage.
Police say Brent's blood-alcohol level was tested shortly after the crash at 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit for drivers in Texas. Prosecutors last week argued that the burly, 320-pound defensive tackle had as many as 17 drinks that night of the crash.
Brent's attorneys argued the blood tests used by police were faulty and that Brent could not have drank nearly that much. Attorney George Milner said his client was "guilty of being stupid behind the wheel of a car," not drinking beforehand.
Brent retired from the NFL last year, but his ties to the Cowboys were prominent at trial. Two current players, Barry Church and Danny McCray, testified about hanging out with Brent and Brown, first playing video games, then having dinner and going to Privae, a Dallas nightclub.
Jurors saw video of Brent appearing to hold bottles of Champagne in each hand and credit-card receipts that showed Brent had purchased three bottles. They also saw police dash cam footage of Brent losing his balance during field sobriety tests and occasionally stumbling over his words while talking to officers.
The case now moves to sentencing. Milner has previously said his client should receive probation, and Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson, has said in interviews that she has forgiven Brent. Jackson could testify on Brent's behalf at sentencing.
Prosecutors have indicated they will push for jail time for Brent and have talked about the potential to send a message about intoxication manslaughter. His conviction comes just after weeks of fierce debate about a North Texas teen, Ethan Couch, who received probation for intoxication manslaughter after a wreck that left four people dead. Couch's case, and the so-called "affluenza" defense his attorneys employed, became the subject of fierce, widespread scrutiny.
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins has attended parts of Brent's trial and whispered in prosecutors' ears during the questioning of one witness. Watkins told a sports radio station last year that prosecutors had the responsibility to make sure Brent "loses his freedom."
Brent, a defensive tackle, had played in all 12 games of the 2012 NFL season before the crash. He retired in July.
Brown was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad in the 2012 season.
Updated: January 22, 2014, 5:04 PM ET
Associated Press
DALLAS -- Former Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter Wednesday for a fiery wreck that killed his teammate and close friend, Jerry Brown.
Brent, 25, showed no reaction when he learned the verdict. He was led from the courtroom in handcuffs in front of crying family members who were in the front row of the courtroom gallery.
He faces up to 20 years in prison, though he could also get probation.
Brent was charged in a December 2012 wreck in a Dallas suburb that killed Brown, a practice squad linebacker who was Brent's close friend and also a teammate at the University of Illinois.
The two men were headed home from partying with fellow Cowboys at a nightclub when Brent lost control of his Mercedes, causing a fiery accident. Officers who arrived on scene said Brent was seen trying to pull Brown's body from the wreckage.
Police say Brent's blood-alcohol level was tested shortly after the crash at 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit for drivers in Texas. Prosecutors last week argued that the burly, 320-pound defensive tackle had as many as 17 drinks that night of the crash.
Brent's attorneys argued the blood tests used by police were faulty and that Brent could not have drank nearly that much. Attorney George Milner said his client was "guilty of being stupid behind the wheel of a car," not drinking beforehand.
Brent retired from the NFL last year, but his ties to the Cowboys were prominent at trial. Two current players, Barry Church and Danny McCray, testified about hanging out with Brent and Brown, first playing video games, then having dinner and going to Privae, a Dallas nightclub.
Jurors saw video of Brent appearing to hold bottles of Champagne in each hand and credit-card receipts that showed Brent had purchased three bottles. They also saw police dash cam footage of Brent losing his balance during field sobriety tests and occasionally stumbling over his words while talking to officers.
The case now moves to sentencing. Milner has previously said his client should receive probation, and Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson, has said in interviews that she has forgiven Brent. Jackson could testify on Brent's behalf at sentencing.
Prosecutors have indicated they will push for jail time for Brent and have talked about the potential to send a message about intoxication manslaughter. His conviction comes just after weeks of fierce debate about a North Texas teen, Ethan Couch, who received probation for intoxication manslaughter after a wreck that left four people dead. Couch's case, and the so-called "affluenza" defense his attorneys employed, became the subject of fierce, widespread scrutiny.
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins has attended parts of Brent's trial and whispered in prosecutors' ears during the questioning of one witness. Watkins told a sports radio station last year that prosecutors had the responsibility to make sure Brent "loses his freedom."
Brent, a defensive tackle, had played in all 12 games of the 2012 NFL season before the crash. He retired in July.
Brown was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad in the 2012 season.
Bob Sacamano
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My lawyer friend just told me that Brent will only get 120 days probation.
Because the guy was just a practice squad player?
Bob Sacamano
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He has no priors in Texas.
JBond
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I am glad he has only killed one person in Texas.
cmd34(work)
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that jury is in BIG TROUBLE with Jerry. They better watch their backs.
pep, what kind of sentence will he most likely receive? (Serious question)
Also, can he be in the Work Release program and play on Sundays? (Not serious question)
pep, what kind of sentence will he most likely receive? (Serious question)
Also, can he be in the Work Release program and play on Sundays? (Not serious question)
What's the story behind this?
peplaw06
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His range of punishment is 2 to 20 years, but he is eligible for probation. If he gets probation, he's going to have to 120 days in jail as a condition of probation regardless. Realistically, I expect the Brown family to come in and say don't give him jail time. And the state will hammer him on his priors and ask the jury to send him a strong message.
I didn't hear all of the evidence, but I think Brown's family's wishes will play some part in the jury's sentence. I'm expecting something in the 5-10 year range. He'll probably serve a quarter of that and be out in 1-3 years.
peplaw06
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Hostile posted a thread over on CZ back in Dec. 2012 when Brent was first arrested where he cited a "lawyer friend" of his who said Brent's priors couldn't be used against him.
Bob Sacamano
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Did I say probation. My lawyer meant jail.
Hoofbite
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I'm sure he'd clarify that by saying......."well, prior to sentencing".
peplaw06
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I would love it if he tried that... his original statement was so certain he left himself no plausible outs.