A Louisiana judge held defense attorney Caitlin Fowlkes in contempt of court on Monday for naming the victim, Madison Brooks, in a court filing. Fowlkes, who represents Desmond Carter, one of the accused attackers in the Brooks rape case, had submitted a motion seeking to ban spectators from wearing pink in the courtroom.
Brooks, a 19-year-old LSU student, was allegedly gang-raped and killed in 2023. Under Louisiana law, victims of sex crimes must be identified by their initials in court filings, and attorneys are required to redact their full names. Fowlkes used Brooks' full name in the filing attached to her July motion, violating this statute.
Judge Gail Horne Ray had previously ruled in August that Brooks' supporters could wear pink in court. On Monday, Ray found Fowlkes in contempt for failing to comply with the law, although Fowlkes received no punishment. The judge noted that while Brooks' name is publicly known, the law clearly states that an attorney's failure to comply is punishable as contempt of court.
Brooks left Reggie's Bar in Baton Rouge with four men on Jan. 15, 2023. Authorities allege that Carter and another individual raped Brooks in a parking lot. The men told police that Brooks asked to be taken home, provided incorrect addresses, and then asked to be let out near a subdivision. They stated she walked into the street and was struck by a car. The driver of the car that hit Brooks remained at the scene and was cleared of charges. According to a coroner's report, Brooks had a blood alcohol content of .319 and injuries consistent with rape at the time of her death. Carter was 17 years old when he was taken into custody.