Men accused of raping student, 19, claim video proves their innocence
Four men who have been accused of raping a student claim video footage they took of her proves their innocence, a court heard.
They were arrested for allegedly raping Madison Brooks, who studied at Louisiana State University in the US, before they left her in street when she was hit by a car.
Madison, 19, died on January 15 after she was struck as she stood in road in darkness in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
She was let out of the car by four men who are now now accused of taking part or witnessing her rape beforehand, a court heard.
Kaivon Deondre Washington, 18, and a 17-year-old male who was not identified because of his minor status, are now facing third-degree rape charges.
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Kaivon Washington is one of the accused in the case (East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office)Mr Washington’s uncle Everette Lee, 28, and Casen Carver, 18, also face principal to rape charges according to an arrest warrant.
The victim and the four suspects met Madison on January 14 in a bar and investigators say she requested being dropped off in the car.
Authorities were told by Mr Carver that Mr Washington and one other requested the victim have sex with them but said she was 'intoxicated' and slurring her words.
Casen Carver also faces charges (East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office)The four dropped her off near Pelican Lakes Parkway and she was hit by a car around 3am and later died in hospital.
At the time of her death her blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit for driving, according to the warrant.
Investigators seized CCTV footage from the bar which is said to have shown her falling in the presence of at least one of the suspects before they left the bar.
Mr Carver claimed she was “very unstable on her feet, was not able to keep her balance, and was unable to speak clearly without slurring her words”.
Two of the suspects, however, proceeded to have sex with her inside the car, police were told by Mr Carver, who “felt uncomfortable and hated it”.
Everette Lee is among four men arrested (East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office)Mr Carver suggested she was too drunk to consent to sex when asked by investigators, replying: “I guess.”
But Ron Haley, an attorney for Mr Washington and the minor, claimed video of the incident showed the defendants were innocent.
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Madison “was intoxicated” but not so much that she could not “lawfully give consent or answer questions” during sex with the suspects, he claimed.
He said she left the car after an argument adding that it was “absolutely not a rape".
Mr Haley told KSLA: "Listen this is a tragedy, definitely not a crime.
“Can you tell, that she was intoxicated, yes. To the point under the law that you say you’re in a drunken stupor, to the point that you cannot lawfully give consent or answer questions, absolutely that was not the case.”
Madison died after being hit by a car (Madi Brooks/Facebook)An autopsy found the victim's injuries were consistent with a sexual assault attack, according to the warrant.
LSU President William F Tate said that the university plans to investigate why the establishment where the victim met the suspects was serving alcohol to minors.
He said: “Madison was a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a niece, a classmate, and a friend to many of you. By all accounts, she was an amazing young woman with limitless potential."
It is alleged she was too drunk to consent to sex (Madi Brooks/Facebook)He continued: “In the coming days, we will call a meeting with these business owners to discuss how their responsibilities directly impact the safety of our students.
"We will work openly against any business that doesn’t join us in efforts toward creating a safer environment for our students. Enough is enough.”
The victim was a member of LSU’s Alpha Phi chapter which said on its Facebook page some of her organs were donated.
It read: "Madison made a lasting impact on all of us. She was also a hero and was able to donate her heart and kidneys to save others.
“We send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. And we respectfully ask for time and space so we may support each other in our healing process.”
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