{"id":933066,"date":"2026-07-13T23:59:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T23:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/933066\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T23:59:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T23:59:21","slug":"bexar-county-da-dismisses-case-against-san-antonio-cop-who-shot-unarmed-teenager-multiple-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/933066\/","title":{"rendered":"Bexar County DA dismisses case against San Antonio cop who shot unarmed teenager multiple times"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Footage from former SAPD officer James Brennand\u2019s body cam showed the moment the officer opened fire on unarmed teenager Erik Cantu. Credit: Screen Capture: YouTube \/ San Antonio Police Department<\/p>\n

The Bexar County District Attorney\u2019s Office on Monday dismissed a first-degree felony assault charge against James Brennand, who lost his job as a San Antonio police officer after he opened fire on an unarmed teenager in a McDonald\u2019s parking lot.<\/p>\n

A grand jury indicted Brennand on an assault by a public servant charge in December 2022 after he discharged his firearm at 17-year-old Erik Cantu in a moment captured on body camera. The shooting made international headlines.<\/p>\n

However, Brennand\u2019s lawyers argued during a Monday hearing that delays in the case infringed on their client\u2019s right to a speedy trial. As the state asked for yet another continuance to continue an investigation related to the case, attorney Jason Goss argued that further delaying trial would have violated Brennand\u2019s Sixth Amendment right, KSAT reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After Goss\u2019 argument, 437th District Court Judge Joel Perez denied the prosecutor\u2019s request for a continuance, prompting the DA\u2019s Office to drop the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result of the judge\u2019s ruling in denying the motion, we decided to dismiss the case due to the pending investigation of Mr. Cantu\u2019s latest allegations,\u201d the office told KSAT in a statement.<\/p>\n

Prosecutor Neil Cordero\u2019s Monday continuance request stemmed from a new investigation into Cantu\u2019s alleged behavior, the TV station reports. <\/p>\n

According to documents obtained by KSAT, Cantu allegedly \u201cmade concerning comments\u201d that placed a 20-year-old female car passenger \u201cin fear\u201d on July 1. Even so, the DA hasn\u2019t formally filed any charges against Cantu, and an investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe the Court should [delay] this case because, at the time, the State of Texas would be greatly disadvantaged in proceeding to trial with this investigation pending over our named complainant,\u201d Cordero argued, according to KSAT.<\/p>\n

Even so, Brennand\u2019s attorneys argued that if the judge granted a continuance, they would invoke Brennand\u2019s right to a speedy trial, prompting the DA\u2019s Office to dismiss the case, the Express-News reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Although Brennand is now a free man, the DA\u2019s Office said in its statement that it could refile the charges at a later date.<\/p>\n

\u201cErik Cantu\u2019s inability to quit being investigated by the police should not interfere with Brennand\u2019s right to a speedy trial and due process,\u201d Goss said, according to the daily. \u201cTheir complainant will not stop committing crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the time between when Cantu was shot and Monday\u2019s hearing, the now 21-year-old has picked up a laundry list of charges, including a 2024 misdemeanor assault charge and a second-degree felony charge for alleged burglary in 2025. Earlier this year, Cantu reportedly violated his probation, which was handed down for the burglary.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Trial\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe shooting of Erik Cantu, then 17, made international headlines.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Judge\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAttorneys representing James Brennand argued it would be impossible for the former SAPD officer to receive a fair trial here.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Fred\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tApparently, local readers craved updates about Fred\u2019s Fish Fry, the homespun restaurant chain famous for its low-priced seafood and deserted parking lots.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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