Defense Lawyer Speaks Out On Fashion Designer's Death
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- The ex-boyfriend of fashion designer Sylvie Cachay -- found dead at an exclusive Manhattan hotel last week -- remains in jail without bail. His lawyer, Jeffrey Hoffman, spoke exclusively to CBS 2's Pablo Guzman Monday about his client and the relationship Nicholas Brooks had with Cachay.
"He's not doing well. He's in shock. Somebody who he cared a great deal for and had an intense relationship with is dead," Hoffman said.
Brooks was charged with attempted murder and strangulation in the death of his on-again, off-again girlfriend. The strangulation charge just became law last month and this is the first time it is being used against someone in New York City.
Police said Brooks choked Cachay, and then left her to die in a bathtub inside a room at the Soho House hotel. Cachay was found with a bite mark on her hand and a red bruise on her neck.
The cause of Cachay's death is not yet known. Sources said the autopsy on Cachay was inconclusive. A spokesman for the Medical Examiner's offices said more testing was needed to determine a cause of death and toxicology tests are pending.
Hoffman said the DA has overcharged by arresting Brooks without the Medical Examiner's evidence.
"After spending 15, 16 hours there trying to help, the last thing in the world he expected was to be charged," Hoffman said.
Cachay's family feels Brooks was outraged because she was leaving him.
When asked if his client was in love with Cachay, Hoffman said that Brooks "had a very close relationship with her."
"They were close. They were together almost all the time -- the evidence is going to show that. And he's devastated by the loss," Hoffman said.
A grand jury will begin hearing evidence this week and a murder charge against Brooks is still possible.
