Attorneys seek change of venue for trial of former SAPD officer who shot teen outside McDonald’s

Attorneys for former San Antonio Police Officer James Brennand have filed a movement in search of a change of venue in his upcoming trial.

Brennand is going through more than one fees within the capturing of 17-year-old Erik Cantu outside a North Side McDonald’s in October of 2022.

In the movement filed Thursday morning, lawyers argued that Brennand would no longer have the ability to seat an unbiased jury because of the in depth media protection the incident gained. They additionally argued that remarks made by way of each San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales in regards to the incident would sway any attainable jurors.

Brennand is accused of capturing Erik Cantu as he sat in his automotive outside a McDonald’s eating place within the 11700 block of Blanco Road on Oct. 2, 2022. Days after the incident, San Antonio Police launched frame cam photos of the incident. McManus instructed newshounds in a news convention then that, “the shooting itself was unjustified — administratively and criminally.”

Brennand used to be indicted by way of a grand jury on December 1, 2022. He used to be charged with two counts of irritated attack by way of a public servant and one depend of tried homicide. Gonzales instructed newshounds then this is workplace would “do everything possible to see that justice is done for Erik and the rest of his family.”

In the movement, Brennand’s lawyers argued that statements made by way of each McManus and Gonzales to newshounds declared that their shopper used to be responsible, thus tainting a possible jury pool.

Cantu used to be hospitalized for a number of weeks and hung out on existence improve sooner than being launched in November 2022. He used to be charged with irritated attack with a dangerous weapon and evading arrest fees, however the ones have been later pushed aside. In July, Cantu and an 18-year-old Emily Proulx have been arrested on robbery fees. She used to be additionally within the automotive the night time of the capturing in October 2022. She used to be no longer injured in that capturing.

According to the court docket, the state will have to reply to the movement or the pass judgement on must grant the change of venue request.

The subsequent listening to is scheduled for December.