Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales is making moves to block the release of communications between his office and a D.C. law firm following revelations of his office's interactions with a criminal justice reform group. According to KSAT, the firm was recommended by the founder of the Austin-based Wren Collective, which has guided Gonzales on media messaging and case decision influence denials.
In contrast, defense attorneys representing James Brennand, the ex-cop charged with shooting teenager Erik Cantu, are seeking DA Gonzales' office communications with the Wren Collective. The former San Antonio police officer's legal team has subpoenaed exchanges that could reflect the DA's approach and commentary on the case, especially after charges against Cantu were dropped.
Gonzales has admitted publicly to making adjustments after House Bill 17 – dubbed the "rogue" prosecutor law – was enacted, potentially influencing his decision-making to avoid removal petitions, KSAT reported. Meanwhile, communications regarding the proposed defense from Arnold & Porter have yet to see the light of day as Gonzales' office claims attorney-client privilege.
At the center of the controversy are text messages where Jessica Brand, founder of Wren Collective advised the DA's office on various matters including bail reform, prosecution of low-level drug cases, and the handling of specific high-profile cases like Cantu's. Despite providing these services for free, as the San Antonio Express-News notes, these communications are now part of a legal tug-of-war as Brennand's counsel questions their potential impact on juror impartiality and his right to fair trial.
The Wren Collective's mission, deeply rooted in reforming the justice system, appears to stand in stark contrast with traditional prosecutorial practices. Yet their proximity to Gonzales raises questions about the extent of their influence on his policy and case strategies. While the collective's advocacy for criminal justice overhaul is well-documented, the current situation begs a closer examination of where advocacy ends, and undue influence begins.
With no petitions against Gonzales under HB 17 filed yet, his office's pushback against releasing communications keeps public scrutiny at bay for the moment. As for Brennand’s case, Judge Joel Perez has yet to decide on the subpoena, setting another hearing for March 7 while the defense and the DA's office ready their arguments, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
