Witness Speaks Out About Charges Dismissed
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JACKSON, Tenn.- One witness is speaking out after the shocking turn of events in the beating death case of Antwan Brooks. Charges against the eight men who were accused in his murder were dropped, Tuesday. Jackson Police and the Attorney General’s office requested the dismissal due to insufficient evidence in their case. Investigators said witnesses were no longer cooperating with police and were instead asking for benefits. Four of the men were released from the Madison County Jail after the hearing. One of the witnesses that police have been protecting, came forward to share her story, after the suspects were released. The witness told 7 Eyewitness News that the charges were dropped because, police broke their promise to protect her. “I’m scared, I don’t even want to go outside,” said the unidentified witness. “I have an S.O.S. on my head which is Shoot on Sight no matter where they see you at.” The witness told 7 Eyewitness News that her family was moved around to different hotel rooms for several weeks. She said she asked to be moved out of state only after her home was broken into which terrified her family even more. “We were basically told that there is no funds, so we were basically told your out on your own. They have no more control of the streets,” said the witness. She also said, she knew several of the suspects to have been affiliated with the street gang Gangster Disciples. She believes releasing the men who have not been cleared was a mistake. “The gangs run the streets in Jackson now,” said the witness. When asked about the funding for this witness, police had no comment. Investigators said one of the biggest procedural reasons for dropping charges was because their witnesses had lost all credibility. Their credibility was destroyed after four of the suspects, that were collectively identified had alibis that checked out. Police said at this time the state believes there is insufficient evidence to prove the cases beyond a reasonable doubt in court. Even though the witness admits there were some suspects who were mistakenly identified, she is adamant about some of the men that she identified as being involved. “I know who I saw, I know them without a shadow of a doubt. I can go to bed at night knowing I did what I had to do and picked the right people,” said the witness. “We lost our home, our friends, we lost everything because of us coming forward and telling the truth.” Police said that all charges were dismissed without prejudice, which means they can be brought back at any time with new information. Investigators said their investigation is ongoing. If you have any information in this case call Jackson Police at (731) 425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at (731) 424-TIPS.
