Closing Arguments Begin In Josh Brent Trial
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Closing arguments began on Tuesday in the Josh Brent intoxication manslaughter trial in Dallas. The former Dallas Cowboys player could face 20 years in prison if convicted of drunk driving in the Irving crash that killed his good friend and fellow teammate Jerry Brown in December 2012.
Brown was a member of the team's practice squad. His mother and grandmother were in the courtroom Tuesday morning, along with Brent's mother, former Cowboys player Nate Newton and current Cowboys player Sean Lee.
Much of the prosecution's case was centered around surveillance video and Brent's blood-alcohol level at the time of the fatal wreck. A toxicologist testified that Brent's blood-alcohol level was .18 -- which, based on the football player's size, would be the equivalent of 17 standard drinks in Brent's system on the night of the crash.
Surveillence camera video showed Brent at two different nightclubs in the hours before the crash, and police dashboard camera video showed Brent weaving as the officer who responded to the crash conducted a field sobriety test.
Police estimate that Brent was traveling 110 mph when the wreck occurred.
There was also testimony that Brent became very angry, even aggressive, cursing at police after he was arrested.
At one point during closing arguments on Tuesday, a prosecutor looked at Brent and said, "Your bad choices killed your friend."
Brent's attorney, however, said that the county's method of collecting blood and testing for intoxication is flawed. The defense argued that Brent was not actually drunk that night -- and that he is guilty of being stupid, but not intoxicated. Brent himself did not take the stand during the trial.
The former Cowboys player has had the support of Brown's mother from the onset of this tragedy. "It's as if she had two sons and one of them died in a car accident," said defense attorney George Milner. "Do you want anything bad to happen to your other son? That is how she sees this. Josh is like a son to her."
The jury is set to begin deliberations after closing arguments on Tuesday. That jury consists of 10 women and two men.
Latest News:
Top Trending:
- Man Fights To Take Pregnant Wife Off Life Support
- Cowboys' Romo Update: Complication In Back Surgery
- Flu Cases Spike In Texas, 13 Dead In Houston Area
- 70-Year-Old Brutally Attacked Outside Restaurant
- Owner Reunites With Dog 4 Months After 'Dognapping'
- PHOTOS: Your Pet Pictures
