In the recent legal case involving former Nevada Assemblyman Steven Brooks, there has been some mystery surrounding the dropping of two charges by prosecutors and the refusal by police to release body camera footage of his arrest.
Brooks, aged 52, was arrested on June 27 after a vehicle pursuit with the police and was charged with felony assault and disobeying a police officer. The police report states that Brooks threatened an officer and urged the police to engage in a shootout with him, leading to the pursuit.
Despite the initial charges, court records show that the Clark County district attorney’s office has decided to drop the charges of Resisting a public officer with a dangerous weapon and driving under the influence. The reasons for this decision remain unclear as the district attorney’s office did not provide any comments on the matter.
During a court appearance at Las Vegas Justice Court, public defender Rachel Howard and prosecutor Brady Lange refused to comment on the case. The police report indicated that Brooks brandished a shiny object, drove towards officers, and collided with their vehicles. Upon stopping, Brooks allegedly had a knife, refused to surrender, and displayed erratic behavior.
Following his arrest, Brooks was taken to University Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The police report suggested that he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, prompting a blood test which was authorized by a judge due to his sedated state.
Despite Metro’s usual practice of releasing body camera footage, they declined a request for the footage of Brooks’ arrest, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect his right to a fair trial. This decision has raised concerns among civil rights advocates, such as the ACLU of Nevada, who argue that the public should have access to such records.
Brooks, who was previously expelled from the Nevada Legislature in 2013 for threatening a fellow lawmaker, has a history of legal troubles including previous convictions in California. He appeared in court in a beige suit and attempted to shield his face from photographers.
Senior Judge James Bixler expressed curiosity about the media attention surrounding the case and seemed unaware of Brooks’ former status as an assemblyman. Despite the unfolding developments in the legal proceedings, many questions remain unanswered about the future of the case and the reasons behind the dropped charges.
For further updates and information on this complex legal case, please contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com or follow @BrighamNoble on X.
