Slain LSU student Madison Brooks’ alleged rapist wants supporters banned from wearing pink at trial: report

Desmond Carter, one of three men charged with raping Madison Brooks before she was killed, has requested that supporters wear non-pink clothing during his upcoming trial, according to court documents reviewed by local news outlet WBRZ. The request comes as the case against Carter, along with co-defendants Kaivon Washington and Casen Carver, moves closer to trial. Brooks, a 19-year-old LSU student, died in January 2023 after being struck by a car following an alleged sexual assault by the three men. Brooks was last seen on January 15, 2023, leaving a local bar in Baton Rouge with four men. Security footage captured her walking away from the group, marking the final known sighting of the young woman before she was fatally struck by a vehicle. The driver of the car, who remained at the scene, was later cleared of criminal charges. Prosecutors have alleged that Carter, Washington, and Carver sexually assaulted Brooks inside a vehicle after a night of drinking at the bar. All three men face rape charges related to the incident. Carter's defense team has submitted a motion seeking to ban spectators from wearing pink or displaying supportive messages during the trial. The request is based on arguments that such displays could improperly influence or intimidate the jury. The defense cited landmark Supreme Court cases, including Sheppard v. Maxwell and Estes v. Texas, which address concerns over media-driven "carnival atmospheres" and the integrity of judicial proceedings. These precedents suggest that external pressures on jurors, such as emotional appeals from the public, could undermine the fairness of a trial. In contrast, prosecutors have rejected the motion, asserting that the pink clothing represents a form of victim advocacy rather than a threat to impartiality. They argue that the color pink, often associated with support for victims of sexual violence, does not constitute jury intimidation. The legal battle over courtroom dress code reflects broader tensions between the rights of defendants and the role of public sentiment in criminal trials. The case has drawn widespread attention, particularly due to the tragic nature of Brooks' death and the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding her rape and subsequent killing. Her mother, Ashley Baustert, has become a prominent figure in the movement advocating for justice and awareness around campus sexual violence. In May 2023, she stood in front of a billboard for the Madison Brooks Foundation in Times Square, symbolizing both personal grief and collective determination. As the trial approaches, the dispute over courtroom attire underscores the complex interplay between legal procedures and public expression. While the defense seeks to maintain a controlled environment for the jury, the prosecution emphasizes the importance of allowing supporters to show solidarity with the victim. This disagreement highlights the challenges of balancing individual rights with societal expectations in high-profile criminal cases. The trial is scheduled to begin later this month, pending a ruling on the motion regarding courtroom attire. As the legal process unfolds, the case continues to serve as a focal point for discussions about justice, accountability, and the impact of public perception on the administration of law.