Defense Seeks to Ban Pink Clothing at LSU Student Madison Brooks Rape Trial | Crime Alert 08.06.26

Summary

---

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace:

Defense Seeks to Ban Pink Clothing at LSU Student Madison Brooks Rape Trial | Crime Alert 08.06.26
Date: August 6, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace focuses on the upcoming rape trial of Desmond Carter, one of three men accused in the tragic case of Madison Brooks, a 19-year-old LSU student. Central to the episode is the defense team's motion to ban pink clothing—a symbol used by Brooks' family and supporters for remembrance and advocacy—at the trial, claiming it may sway the jury. The episode also includes crime updates from across the country, highlighting the emotional impact on victims' families and the broader quest for justice.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Madison Brooks Rape & Homicide Case

• Background of the Incident

  • Victim: Madison Brooks, LSU student, age 19
  • Incident: Allegedly raped by three men—Desmond Carter, Kavian Washington, and Cason Carver—after a night of drinking before being left on a Baton Rouge highway in 2023, where she was subsequently struck and killed by a car.
  • [00:44]

• Defense Motion Against Pink Clothing

  • Desmond Carter's legal team seeks to restrict Brooks’ supporters from wearing pink and displaying supportive messages in court.
  • The defense argues that visible victim advocacy could unfairly influence the jury, referencing U.S. Supreme Court cases (Sheppard v. Maxwell and Estes v. Texas) about media and public influence on fair trials.
  • Prosecutors counter that pink attire is peaceful advocacy, not intimidation.
  • [00:44–01:40]

• Role of Social Media & Victim Advocacy

  • Madison Brooks' mother, Ashley Boasdert, requested supporters on social media to wear pink to hearings in remembrance of her daughter, framing it as a peaceful act.
  • Boasdert also founded the Madison Brooks Foundation to promote young adult safety and shares her grief and advocacy journey publicly.
  • [01:41–02:18]

• Brooks' Mother's Emotional Statement

  • Quote:

    “It’s been a complete nightmare. The worst possible thing that can happen to anyone happened to my daughter. And not only was she my daughter, but she was my best friend. We did everything together. The best memories I have are spent being her mother and that’s what I have to hold onto every day. That’s what gets me out of bed. I’m trying to live as well as I can until I’m reunited with her in heaven.”
    —Ashley Boasdert (02:18)

• Details of the Crime and Evidence

  • Defendants claim the encounter was consensual, but vehicle footage reportedly shows Brooks arguing with her attackers, who then left her to exit the car alone.
  • Quote from Vehicle Footage:

    “Sorry that I offended you that bad. Get out. Get out. I will Uber on my own. Sorry that your feelings got hurt.”
    —Unidentified male (03:08)

  • Brooks’ blood alcohol content was .319.
  • The rideshare driver who struck Brooks was sober, called emergency responders, and was cleared of charges.
  • The coroner determined Brooks died from traumatic injuries after the alleged rape.
  • [02:48–03:16]

---

2. National Crime Briefs

Eustis, Florida — Attempted Murder of a Police Officer

• Incident Summary:

  • A 28-year-old man, Chicoi Donovan, dragged a female officer over 300 feet with his car during a traffic stop, after refusing commands to turn off the engine and exit the vehicle.
  • [04:16–05:25]

• Key Moments (Bodycam Audio):

  • Quote:

    “You need to turn off because it’s not smoking. I mean, it’s going smoke. That’s what it’s doing. Turn it off. If I turn this car off, it’s not going.”
    —Chicoi Donovan (04:52)

  • Officers repeatedly tried to de-escalate before Donovan fled.

• Impact on Officers:

  • A second officer was dragged 10–15 feet.
  • The female officer was hospitalized after being dragged and pinned for several seconds, a harrowing ordeal described by Chief Craig Capri as “8 or 9 seconds feels like hours when living through it.”

---

Bloomington, Indiana — Child Abuse Arrest

• Incident Summary:

  • Caden Lewis Shrum, 18, was arrested for severely biting a nine-month-old infant in his care, leaving bite marks that shocked medical staff.
  • [05:25–06:40]

• Perpetrator's Confession:

  • Shrum admitted biting the baby while trying to calm the crying child, describing it in disturbing terms.
  • Quote:

    “He [Shrum] further described the baby to police as looking like a busted up egg.”
    —Sydney Silvani (06:20)

  • Shrum is charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness, held without bond.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ashley Boasdert:
  • “No legal defense motion can silence those who love Brooks.” (Paraphrased from [01:41])
• Chilling Audio Evidence:
  • “Get out. Get out. I will Uber on my own. Sorry that your feelings got hurt.” —vehicle footage from the Madison Brooks case ([03:08])

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Madison Brooks Case & Defense Motion: [00:44–02:48]
• Mother’s Statement: [02:18]
• Crime Details & Vehicle Footage: [02:48–03:16]
• Eustis, Florida Officer Assault: [04:16–05:25]
• Bloomington, Indiana Child Abuse Case: [05:25–06:40]

---

Tone & Language

The episode maintains an urgent, empathetic, and justice-oriented tone, with a focus on both the procedural aspects (legal motions, evidence) and the raw emotional pain of victims’ families. Direct victim and family voices are foregrounded, offering both factual updates and personal perspective.

---

Summary

This episode captures the tense lead-up to the Madison Brooks rape trial, highlighting legal battles over courtroom symbolism and the enduring voices of victims’ families. It also offers a cross-section of recent, high-profile crime stories, emphasizing the persistence and impact of violent crime on communities and individuals alike.

---

Transcript

[I Heart Podcast Host]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.

[Andrea Gunning]

This is Andrea Gunning from Betrayal Weekly. This is a stunning story based on the hit true crime podcast Betrayal. He was a tall, handsome police officer, the man of her dreams. Caroline knew right away he was the man she would spend her life with. But then she got a text that changed everything. The man she loved was having affair after affair with so many different women in his cop car while on duty. I implore you to watch Betrayal Dirty Secrets now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney.

[I Heart Podcast Host]

Crime Alert Hourly Update Breaking crime news now.

[Sydney Silvani]

I'm Sydney Silvani. One of the three men accused of raping a young woman before she was killed wants to prevent her family from friends and supporters from wearing pink at his upcoming trial. Madison Brooks, a 19 year old Louisiana State University student, was hit by a car and killed after a group of men allegedly raped her and dumped her on a Baton rouge highway in 2023. Desmond Carter, 21, is set to appear before a judge later this month. Prosecutors allege Carter, alongside Kavian Washington and Cason Carver, sexually assaulted Brooks inside a vehicle following a night of heavy drinking at a local. All three men face rape charges. Carter's defense team filed a motion seeking to prohibit pink attire and supportive messages, arguing it could unfairly influence the jury. The defense cited supreme court cases Shepard vs Maxwell and Estes v. Texas regarding media driven atmospheres and trial fairness. Prosecutors opposed the motion characterizing pink clothing as victim advocacy rather than jury intimidation. Evidence submitted includes social media posts by Ashley Boasdert, Brooke's mother, asking supporters to wear pink to court hearings while praying for justice for her daughter. Boastert says wearing pink is a peaceful act of remembrance, stating no legal defense motion can silence those who love Brooks. Bo Stert founded the Madison Brooks foundation to advocate for young adult safety, sharing her devastating grief.

[Ashley Boasdert]

It's been a complete nightmare. The worst possible thing that can happen to anyone happened to my daughter. And not only was she my daughter, but she was my best friend. We did everything together. The best memories I have are spent being her mother and that's what I have to hold onto every day. That's what gets me out of bed. I'm trying to live as well as I can until I'm reunited with her in heaven.

[Sydney Silvani]

Brooks was allegedly raped in the backseat of a car by Carter, tried as an adult alongside Washington in Carver after leaving Reggie's Bar. The defendants claim the encounter was consensual before leaving her on a roadway. However, vehicle footage shows Brooks arguing with her alleged attackers before stumbling out I'm

[Chicoi Donovan]

sorry that I offended you that bad. Get out. Get out. I will Uber on my own. Sorry that your feelings got hurt.

[Sydney Silvani]

Investigators said Brooks had a blood alcohol content of.319 when she stumbled onto the road. The driver of the rideshare car that struck her was cleared of charges. After testing sober and immediately calling emergency responders, the coroner concluded Brooks died from traumatic injuries after being raped. More crime and justice news after this.

[Andrea Gunning]

This is Andrea Gunning from Betrayal Weekly. This is a stunning story based on the hit true crime podcast Betrayal. He was a tall, handsome police officer, the man of her dreams. Caroline knew right away he was the man she would spend her life with. But then she got a text that changed everything. The man she loved was having affair after affair with so many different women in his cop car while on duty. I implore you to watch Betrayal Dirty Secrets now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney.

[Sydney Silvani]

In Eustis, Florida, a 28 year old man faces attempted murder and assault charges after a police body worn camera shows him dragging an officer during a traffic stop. Eustis police noticed a vehicle swerving on south bay Street around 2.30am the driver attempted to evade officers by turning off a side road before stopping at South Eustis street and Quayle Avenue. With smoke billowing from under the hood due to mechanical issues, officers approached the driver, Chicoi Donovan, who refused repeated orders. Orders to turn off the ignition or exit the vehicle, leading to a tense exchange.

[Chicoi Donovan]

You need to turn off because it's not smoking. I mean, it's going smoke. That's what it's doing. Turn it off. If I turn this car off, it's not going. Okay, cut back on. Okay, so what's going on though? Step out, Step out. I'm trying to figure out what's going on. Okay, okay. You know, step out. All right. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Get out the car now, man. Come on. Y' all doing?

[Ashley Boasdert]

Come on.

[Chicoi Donovan]

No, no, no. Stop, Mama. Get off me. No.

[Sydney Silvani]

Donovan then grabbed the female officer and drove off, dragging her by the vest. A second officer was dragged 10 to 15ft, sustaining superficial injuries. The female officer was dragged over 300ft, pinned between the suspect and the steering wheel before falling to the ground. Chief Craig Capri stated that 8 or 9 seconds feels like hours when living through it. The officer was found motionless in the street and hospitalized. In Bloomington, Indiana, an 18 year old man under arrest told police how he bit the skin of an infant in his care. Caden Lewis Shrum was arrested by Monroe county sheriff's deputies following a search starting July 29. The investigation began July 15 after a pediatrician reported a nine month old baby with severe bite marks covering the entire left cheek cheek. While at the hospital, Shrumm admitted to police and family that he was responsible. Shrum claimed he was watching television around 4am when the baby began crying. In a bid to soothe the child, he nibbled the cheek before repeatedly chomping down on the infant's skin. Shrum further described the baby to police as looking like a busted up egg. Following the violent encounter, online court records show Shrum has been charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, court records state. He is held without bond. For more crime and justice news, be sure to join us for crime stories with Nancy Grace on Fox One, YouTube, Sirius XM and now streaming on Tubi with this crime alert. I'm Sydney Silvani, this is Matt Altmix

[Matt Altmix]

from How to Money and we are all about comparing prices to save money on so many things in life. So why wouldn't you compare prices for your next rideshare? And taking a few seconds to check Lyft can save you real money on your next ride. And I did this last time I caught a ride home from the airport after some travel. And guess who came out on top? Lyft. So don't just price check with flights and phone plans and your groceries. Comparing rideshare prices will help you to save money every time you ride. Save money. Check Lyft.

[I Heart Podcast Host]

You want to advance your education, but not on a traditional path. At Rasmussen University you'll find flexible and engaging online experiences, tuition savings options if you qualify, exceptional student support and so much more. You may also qualify for a brand new laptop when you enroll in select online or on campus programs. Enroll in a fully online program or at one of their 20 campuses across six states. Start when you're ready and get the support you need. Visit Rasmussen.com this is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.