On Friday, September 26, 2025, WAFB reported that East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore is considering filing a motion to recuse Judge Gail Horne Ray from the Madison Brooks case. The potential motion, which would be filed under seal, stems from concerns about Judge Ray’s prior rulings on evidence that the First Circuit Court of Appeals has deemed inadmissible.
The controversy arose after an impromptu court hearing on Thursday, where Casen Carver, one of the individuals charged in connection with the case, waived his right to a jury trial. This decision would leave Judge Ray as the sole arbiter in determining Carver’s fate.
Madison Brooks died in January 2023 after being struck by a vehicle on Burbank Drive. Documents indicate Brooks was heavily intoxicated at the time. Following her death, three individuals were charged with rape.
Earlier in 2025, the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Brooks’ sexual history was inadmissible as evidence during the trial. District Attorney Moore stated that Judge Ray had previously made rulings regarding evidence that the appellate court has since prohibited. Moore told WAFB, “It’s hard to unring that bell.”
Joe Long, Casen Carver’s attorney, expressed confidence in Judge Ray’s impartiality. Long stated that the District Attorney’s office is unhappy with some of Judge Ray’s rulings and would prefer a jury trial where they could appeal to emotion. He argued that a judge would look at the facts and the law. Long added that the strongest argument the DA has is the community uproar over the death of Madison Brooks, but his client had nothing to do with her death and is innocent of the rape charges.
Carver’s trial is scheduled to begin on December 1.
Source: WAFB
