Madison Brooks gang-rape trial plunged into chaos after lawyer representing one of the accused used dead cheerleader’s name in filing asking judge to ban supporters from wearing pink

A lawyer representing Desmond Carter, one of three men charged with raping Louisiana cheerleader Madison Brooks, was found in contempt after a court filing included Brooks’ full name. The filing sought to ban supporters from wearing pink at Carter’s trial, arguing that it could prejudice the jury; the judge had previously allowed the colour in court.

Judge Gail Horne Ray said the filing breached state law protecting the identities of sex-crime victims, but did not punish the lawyer. Brooks died in January 2023 after being left by a roadside and struck by a vehicle, following an alleged assault. The three defendants say sex in the car was consensual; prosecutors say Brooks was heavily intoxicated, and a coroner found her blood alcohol level was 0.319 and injuries consistent with rape.