BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – An ex-San Antonio police officer made his first court appearance on Friday morning after a judge denied a request to delay a potential jury trial last fall.
James Brennand, 31, has been charged with aggravated assault by a public servant, a first-degree felony. In October 2022, police records showed Brennand fired multiple shots at a BMW driven by Erik Cantu, who was 17 at the time.
A trial date has been scheduled for this summer. Jury selection is tentatively scheduled for July 21.
Brennand appeared before Judge Joel Perez in Bexar County’s 437th Criminal District Court on Friday morning.
During the pre-trial motions hearing, the prosecution asked Perez not to consider previous testimony from Emily Proulx, Cantu’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of their child.
Proulx was also in the BMW with Cantu at the time of the shooting. She later testified in court for charges related to Cantu but not related to the October 2022 shooting.
Jay Norton, Brennand’s attorney, told the court he believed her testimony would be “relevant” at some point in the trial but did not object to the prosecution’s request.
The state also asked Perez for a venue change to a different courtroom within the Bexar County Courthouse. Prosecutors said a portion of their case will include an expert witness’ presentation that the state hopes each juror can view on their own screen.
“I’m hesitant to move the trial to another courtroom,” Perez told the state. “That’s my opinion.”
Perez, however, did not make a final ruling on the state’s request.
Before jury selection starts, Brennand is expected to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing on May 11.
Watch Brennand’s full Friday morning court appearance in the video player below.
Background
Brennand, who was fired from the department three days after the shooting, was captured on body camera footage opening the door of Cantu’s vehicle and shooting at him as Cantu attempted to drive away.
He made his most recent court appearance in September 2025.
The shooting drew national attention. Cantu suffered serious injuries and spent months recovering.
In unrelated developments, Cantu, now 21, was sentenced to two years in prison on April 1 after he violated his probation multiple times.
If found guilty of the charge, Brennand could face up to life in prison.
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