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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Pot Use May Cost Cowboy His Manslaughter Bond

DALLAS (CN) - Dallas Cowboys football player Josh Brent tested positive for marijuana while awaiting trial for the alcohol-related crash that killed his teammate, prosecutors said, urging a judge to revoke bond.

Jerry Brown Jr., a member of the Cowboys practice squad, died on Dec. 8, 2012, after the car he and Brent were in crashed, rolled over and caught fire. Irving police arrested Brent at the scene and the 24-year-old nose tackle was later indicted for intoxication manslaughter.

Prosecutors say Brent's blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. He had previously played with Brown at the University of Illinois.

Noting that Brent tested positive for marijuana metabolites on May 24, Assistant District Attorney Heath Harris asked Judge Fred Tinsley on Thursday to revoke Brent's $100,000 bond and issue a warrant for his arrest.

Prosecutors say Brent had ingested the marijuana within 30 days of the test date, and that the findings do not indicate second-hand exposure.

"Given the defendant's prior alcohol-related contacts and the severity of the charge in this case, it is the state's belief that the defendant continues to pose a threat to the community," Harris wrote. "It is respectfully requested that this court hold the defendant's bond insufficient and issue a bench warrant without bond for the defendant's arrest."

The positive drug test occurred one day after prosecutors claimed Brent tampered with an alcohol monitoring device he is required to wear as a condition of his bond.

At the time of Brent's arrest, he did not have a valid Texas driver's license and his Illinois license was suspended and expired, prosecutors claim.

Brent faces up to 20 years in state prison if convicted.

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