San Antonio, Texas — A judicial ruling in Bexar County has concluded that jurors in an upcoming trial will not view the vehicle involved when a local police officer shot a teenager last year. Instead, the judge has decided that body-worn camera footage provides sufficient evidence for the case.
This trial pertains to James Brennand, a former San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officer, who faces charges of aggravated assault by a public servant following an incident in 2022 involving 17-year-old Erik Cantu. The episode has prompted widespread scrutiny of the events leading up to the shooting and the decisions made that fateful day.
The state argued that viewing the vehicle would offer the jury a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the shooting. However, Judge Joel Perez, overseeing the case, decided against it, suggesting that the body camera footage adequately captures the moment of the incident.
Brennand, who was a probationary officer with only seven months on the force, initially confronted Cantu while the teenager was eating a hamburger in his car with his girlfriend. The confrontation escalated quickly; Brennand, believing the vehicle was stolen after noticing misaligned license plates from the previous day, approached the car with his weapon drawn.
Subsequent events rapidly unfolded as Cantu reversed the vehicle, allegedly striking Brennand’s leg with the open car door. Lawyers for Cantu dispute this claim. The former officer responded by discharging at least ten rounds at the moving vehicle, hitting Cantu four times.
Cantu was rushed to the hospital and spent several weeks recovering from critical injuries, including gunshot wounds to his stomach, lungs, and liver. Doctors were unable to safely remove one of the bullets lodged near his heart.
Following the shooting, SAPD Chief William McManus terminated Brennand, citing a violation of department protocols and procedures. Moreover, Cantu’s initial charges related to the incident were dropped by District Attorney Joe Gonzales, amidst growing public outcry over the case.
In addition to the upcoming trial on April 11, further scrutiny has been placed on Cantu himself. Since the incident, he has faced multiple arrests, including charges related to car theft, which have contributed to a complex legal history for the teenager.
As preparations for the trial continue, additional disclosures and body-worn camera footage are expected to be reviewed, which could potentially further influence the proceedings. Both legal teams appear set for a closely watched courtroom battle, with profound implications for justice and law enforcement accountability in the community.
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