Madison Brooks case latest: Third rape suspect released as lawyers deny tests showing LSU student was drunk

Newly released surveillance footage showed Louisiana State University student Madison Brooks leaving a bar allegedly with the four men accused of raping her on the night she was also fatally hit by a vehicle.

According to the footage, Brooks could be seen crossing the street with four people near Reggie’s bar in Baton Rouge and moving towards the parking lot, reported CBS affiliate WAFB.

Authorities said that Brooks – who was visibly intoxicated – was sexually assaulted by the suspects in a car after leaving Reggie’s.

Madison Brooks alleged rape and subsequent death have sparked outrage in the community of Baton Rouge, with fellow LSU students, mothers and the university’s president demanding justice for the student.

Authorities say Ms Brooks – who was visibly intoxicated – was sexually assaulted by the suspects in a car after leaving Reggie’s. The suspects then allegedly dropped her off along a dark stretch of road in the early hours of 15 January. She was struck by a rideshare vehicle and killed soon after.

Kaivon Deondre Washington, 18, and a 17-year-old male, unnamed because he’s a minor, have been charged with rape in the third degree. Mr Washington’s uncle Everette Lee, 28, and Casen Carver, 18, have been charged with principal to rape and were released on bond on Wednesday.

At a bond hearing, prosecutor Stuart Theriot said the prosecution will attempt to boost the charges against the suspects to first-degree rape. The prosecutor also indicated intent to convene a grand jury in the case.

In the wake of her sudden and tragic death, tributes have poured in from loved ones of Brooks.

LSU’s Alpha Phi chapter paid tribute to its sorority sister in a post on the group’s Facebook page.

“Madison was a sophomore and made a lasting impact on all of us,” the statement read.

“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. AOE”

In the wake of her sudden and tragic death, Brooks has been remembered as a bright and joyful young woman

Brooks’ grandfather Kert LeBlanc also issued a heartfelt statement on his Facebook profile.

“She was pure joy and light. She made us so very proud. We will miss her terribly. Please keep our family in your prayers as we navigate through this difficult time,” Mr LeBlanc wrote.

Tiffani Carlini Roberston, the mother of a female student at LSU, wrote in a touching post that Brooks’ memory “is in the heart of every woman attending LSU as well as their mothers.” Ms Robertson said Brooks’s story had resonated with many in the local community and made them realize that there is a bigger conversation to be had.

“We may never rid the world of sexual assault, but Madi’s beautiful life is bringing awareness of sexual assault to a generation that till now has kept their pain to themselves,” she told The Independent. “Our hearts are breaking for this family we’ve never known.”

Footage from the bar where Madison Brooks met her alleged attackers shows the student – ​​who at 19 is underage – falling over several times, according to an arrest warrant.

Investigators said that Brooks’ blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit at the time of her death.

She fell in front of at least one of the suspects before they left the business, the footage allegedly shows.

Suspect Casen Carver, 18, said Brooks was “very unstable on her feet, was not able to keep her balance, and was unable to speak clearly without slurring her words”, according to the warrant.

But, despite her state of intoxication, two of the suspects proceeded to have sex with her inside the car, Mr Carver told police. He later told police that he “felt uncomfortable and hated it.”

When asked by investigators if he believed Brooks was too impaired to consent, Mr Carver reportedly said, “I guess.”

A local official has joined calls for a crackdown on Baton Rouge bars in response to the death of Madison Brooks.

Denise Amoroso, who represents District 8 on the Baton Rouge Metro Council in Louisiana, told WBRZ that all options should be on the table from fines to a total bar ban for people under the age of 21.

“When you are looking at a $500 fine, that is nothing,” she said.

“The bars, they have licenses to serve, but they also have to remember it is not a right but a privilege to have a license.”

The bar along the infamous Tigerland strip in Baton Rouge where Madison Brooks met her alleged attackers has denied serving the 19-year-old alcohol on her last night.

Reggie’s Bar had its liquor license suspended this week by state regulators following the death of Brooks.

At 19, Brooks was under the legal drinking age – as are three of the men now charged with her alleged rape.

On Thursday, the bar released a statement saying that Brooks was not served alcohol by staff inside the bar and that she had used a fake ID to get in.

“Even though she entered the bar with false identification, she wasn’t served nor did she consume any drinks at least during the last hour she was at Reggie’s,” the statement read.

“Reggie’s has voluntarily turned over all video surveillance footage to EBRSO and has fully cooperated with EBRSO investigators since they were first contacted and requested to assist on Sunday, January 15.

“Also, Reggie’s has reached out directly to LSU President Tate in response to his call for action and look forward to meeting with him and his team soon to work together to address the issues raised in his recent press release.”

Following Madison Brook’s death earlier this month, an LSU student has created an initiative for fellow females to have a safer way to get home after a night out.

“If you go to LSU or have a daughter, friend, family member or any GIRL that goes to LSU, I’ve taken the initiative to make a groupme for girls to reach out to other girls for a ride home or just help getting out of an uncomfortable situation,” Alisha Ortolano, a pre-vet student at LSU, wrote in a Facebook post.

Mr Ortolano encouraged students to get in touch with her to join the group. Only those with an LSU email account can sign up and join the GroupMe chat.

They can then offer to give rides to women who find themselves in “any uncomfortable situations.”

“Feel free to message me and ask for my phone number to put in your contacts if you ever need a ride. Please share this. I want this to reach as many LSU girls as possible!” she added.

It comes as nineteen-year-old Brooks was killed on January 15 after a ride-share driver hit her while she was standing in a dark roadway in Baton Rouge.

On Monday, local news station KSLA reported that Brooks was dropped off near the site of the crash by four men now accused of participating in or witnessing her rape moments before.

The bar along the infamous Tigerland strip in Baton Rouge where Madison Brooks met her alleged attackers has denied serving the 19-year-old alcohol on her last night.

Reggie’s Bar had its liquor license suspended this week by state regulators following the death of Brooks.

At 19, Brooks was under the legal drinking age – as are three of the men now charged with her alleged rape.

On Thursday, the bar released a statement saying that Brooks was not served alcohol by staff inside the bar and that she had used a fake ID to get in.

“Even though she entered the bar with false identification, she wasn’t served nor did she consume any drinks at least during the last hour she was at Reggie’s,” the statement read.

“Reggie’s has voluntarily turned over all video surveillance footage to EBRSO and has fully cooperated with EBRSO investigators since they were first contacted and requested to assist on Sunday, January 15.

“Also, Reggie’s has reached out directly to LSU President Tate in response to his call for action and look forward to meeting with him and his team soon to work together to address the issues raised in his recent press release.”

Newly-released surveillance footage has captured Madison Brooks’ movements on her last night, before the Louisiana State University (LSU) student was allegedly raped and then struck and killed by a car.

In the footage, the 19-year-old Alpha Phi sorority sister and her four alleged attackers are seen leaving Reggie’s Bar in Baton Rouge at around 1.50am on 15 January.