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· collected 2026-08-06 · by Kelsie Cairns
Ashley Baustert, the mother of slain LSU student Madison Brooks, spoke out against an attempt by one of Brooks' alleged attackers to ban spectators from wearing pink in court, saying it's meant to honor her daughter's favorite color and not disrupt the trial. The defense claims that wearing pink could bias or intimidate the jury, but Baustert disagrees, calling the request "selfish." Madison Brooks was a 19-year-old LSU student who was allegedly gang-raped before being hit by a car and killed in 2023. A judge is set to make a decision on Thursday regarding the ban.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Madison Brooks, a 19-year-old student at Louisiana State University (LSU), was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men after a night out in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The attackers then dumped her on a highway and she was hit by a car, killing her in 2023. Despite the driver of the vehicle that hit her staying on scene, he was cleared of charges. Brooks' mother, Ashley Baustert, is fighting to hold her daughter's alleged attackers accountable and has been critical of the legal process. Baustert wants to ensure that Desmond Carter, one of the men accused of raping her daughter, is held responsible for his actions. She believes that "a lot of selfish choices were made" by those involved in Brooks' death. The case has been difficult for Baustert, who says she feels a sense of grief and frustration as she navigates the legal system to seek justice for her daughter.
Written for “LSU Student Murder Trial” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
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It's not about anyone except for Madison
left The article presents Baustert's sentiment as a simple expression of love and grief, emphasizing that the effort to ban pink is solely motivated by wanting to honor her daughter.
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We are not disruptive, we are very peaceful, and it's really just about Maddie's favorite color
left The article characterizes supporters' actions as 'peaceful', implying that the effort is innocuous and solely focused on honoring Brooks.
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It's not about anyone except for Madison
left This quote reiterates Baustert's earlier statement, emphasizing the focus on Madison and dismissing any potential concerns about bias or intimidation.
Leaning score -0.75 for article 594 (high confidence, 3 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
"It's not about anyone except for Madison," says Ashley Baustert.
asserted
Baustert → say → Madison
She is the mother to the Louisiana State University student Madison Brooks, who was allegedly gang-raped before she was hit by a car and killed after a night out in 2023.
uncertain
she → rap → 2023
She wants to ensure her daughter's accused attackers are held accountable.
asserted
attackers → want → ?
Brooks, 19, was a student at LSU when she was hit by a car and killed after a group of men allegedly raped her, then dumped her out of a vehicle on a Baton Rouge, Louisiana highway in 2023, and drove off.
uncertain
group → hit → 2023
The driver of the vehicle that hit her stayed on scene and was cleared of charges.
"Maddie felt safe that night, she thought these were her friends and I think a lot of selfish choices were made that night and ultimately it led in a horrific ending," Baustert told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
asserted
Baustert → hit → Wednesday
On top of the unimaginable grief of losing her child, Baustert has been dragged through an ongoing legal marathon in her fight to hold her daughter's alleged attackers accountable.
asserted
attackers → lose → fight
"It's very challenging," Baustert said.
asserted
Baustert → say → ?
"I have to just keep the course and stay positive and pray that justice will in the end prevail."
asserted
justice → have → end
Desmond Carter, 21, one of the men accused of raping Brooks, is asking an East Baton Rouge Parish judge to ban spectators from wearing pink in court.
asserted
Carter → accuse → court
His defense claims the color—which supporters wear to honor Brooks—could bias or intimidate the jury.
uncertain
supporters → claim → jury
Baustert is strongly pushing back against the motion.
asserted
Baustert → push → motion
"We are not disruptive, we are very peaceful, and it's really just about Maddie's favorite color," Baustert said.
asserted
Baustert → say → ?
"We wear it to honor her.
asserted
We → wear → her
A judge will make a decision on Thursday, Louisiana First News reported.
asserted
News → make → Thursday
"I hope that she disagrees with the defendant's attorney and allows us to peacefully wear pink.
asserted
us → hope → pink
I feel that if she agrees with them, I think it's going to cause more of an outrage," Baustert said.
asserted
Baustert → feel → outrage
Nancy Grace previews exclusive new Fox Nation special, 'Left for Dead'
asserted
Grace → preview → Dead
Brooks was a sophomore at LSU and was pursuing a communications degree when she was killed.
asserted
she → pursue → degree
Prior to her enrollment at LSU, she "graduated from Saint Scholastica Academy in 2021, where she was an honor roll student, cheerleader, member of Doves for Life, Spirit Club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes," the LSU Foundation says.
asserted
Foundation → graduate → Athletes
Baustert said, "Nothing will bring Madison back, but we remain committed to honoring her life and ensuring that her voice is never forgotten."
asserted
voice → say → life
Fox News Digital has reached out to Carter's attorney.
asserted
Digital → reach → attorney
He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Aug. 17.
asserted
He → schedule → Aug.
