The mother of Madison Brooks, a 19-year-old LSU cheerleader, intends to attend every day of the trial for Desmond Carter, one of three men accused of raping her daughter before she was fatally struck by a car. Jury selection for Carter's trial, who was 17 at the time of the incident, is scheduled to begin on August 17.
Brooks died in the early morning hours of January 15, 2023, after a night out in Tigerland, a popular bar district near the Louisiana State University campus. Police initially informed her mother, Ashley Baustert, that Brooks had been hit by a car. A week later, detectives revealed their belief that Brooks had been sexually assaulted in the back of a car before stumbling onto the road. Brooks's blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.319, more than four times the legal limit.
Carter's defense attorneys claim that he and his friends offered Brooks a ride home after she lost her companions and phone. Surveillance footage shows the group leaving a bar and walking towards a car, with Brooks appearing unsteady.
Kerry Miller, the family's lawyer, stated he obtained video footage filmed by one of the defendants that purportedly shows Carter engaging in sexual activity with Brooks in the car. Miller alleged that another teenager, Kaivon Washington, then 18, appears to have restrained Brooks during the incident. Both Carter and Washington have denied rape, asserting the sexual encounter was consensual. No trial date has been set for Washington.
A third teenager, Casen Carver, also 18 at the time, was in the front seat and is accused of rape because he was present in the car. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for November. A fourth individual, 28-year-old Everett Lee, was not indicted by the grand jury.
Miller argued that Brooks was too intoxicated to consent to sexual activity. Video footage reportedly filmed by Carver, showing him laughing and stating "These guys are crazy! They finna [fixing to] rape her," has been cited by the prosecution. The defense maintains that Brooks's muffled voice could be heard yelling "Get off!" above the music.
Brooks's mother has expressed the difficulty of preparing for the trial while caring for her two younger children but feels it is her duty to be there for her daughter. Carter's lawyer has requested that the judge prohibit Brooks's friends and family from wearing pink to court, a color associated with her, arguing it could create a "carnival atmosphere" and impede a fair trial. The judge has yet to rule on this motion.
Reggie's, the bar where Brooks was last seen, has since closed after losing its alcohol license for serving underage patrons. Baustert views the closure as appropriate.
In the aftermath of Brooks's death, her family and friends have worked to preserve her memory. They describe her as a kind, fun-loving individual who enjoyed activities such as beach days, shopping, and attending football games as a cheerleader. She also participated in adventurous activities like skiing and skydiving. Brooks was a sorority sister at Alpha Phi, where she advocated for friendship, unity, and women's heart health. In an act of generosity, she donated her heart and kidneys to save others. Her family has registered a star in her name and encouraged the use of the hashtag 'MadiMadeMeSmile' to share joyful memories and perform random acts of kindness. They have also established a foundation in her name to provide financial support, advocate for improved safety for young adults, and promote organ donation.
Baustert has found some solace in knowing that two individuals, the driver of the car and a passerby, were with her daughter in her final moments and offered comfort and prayers. "I know God sent those two guardian angels to be with her, to pray over her, and that does give me some peace," she stated. 
