Former Dallas Cowboys NFL football player Josh Brent looks on in court after he was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, in Dallas, for a fiery wreck that killed his teammate and close friend, Jerry Brown.DALLAS – Former Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter Wednesday for a fiery wreck that killed his teammate and close friend, Jerry Brown.
He faces up to 20 years in prison for a December 2012 wreck after a night of partying with fellow Cowboys players. He could also get probation.
Jurors took about nine hours over two days to convict Brent, who was led from the courtroom in handcuffs as family members sitting in the front row of the gallery sobbed.
Among those sitting with Brent’s family was Stacey Jackson, Brown’s mother. Jackson did not respond to questions as she left the courtroom Wednesday with Brent’s family, but she has said in interviews that she’s forgiven Brent and could testify in support of a lighter sentence for him when that phase of the trial begins Thursday.
Attorneys from both sides remain under a gag order that prevented them from commenting after the proceedings.