Kavion Washington, Casen Carver and Everette Lee
A grand jury convenes in Baton Rouge today to hear evidence against three of the four men arrested in the alleged rape of LSU student Madison Brooks. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt said he would be shocked if the grand jury doesn’t issue an indictment if the DA is actively seeking one.
“I would expect looking into the crystal ball, while there is a lot of evidence that may lend itself to innocence, I would expect we’re going to see an indictment,” said Borghardt.
A fourth suspect who’s 17 years old his case will be handled in juvenile court.
A failure to indict could mean their charges are dismissed or the grand jury could choose to upgrade the charges. Borghardt said the DA’s office has stated they are actively pursuing first-degree rape charges…
“Which is above what they were arrested for, they were arrested for third-degree rape. I think it’s fair to say that they’re hunting for an indictment, and I think they’re going to get it,” said Borghardt.
Borghardt said third-degree rape is rape based on impairment and it carries a lower sentence.
“First-degree rape is multiple individuals raping someone at the same time and it carries life in prison,” said Borghardt.
Defense attorneys maintain their client’s innocence and that they have video evidence proving they had consensual sex with Brooks.
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