Family: Ferguson Missouri Police Officer Still Can't Talk, Eat after Protest Assault

CLAYTON, MO — A Ferguson officer severely injured a year ago during a protest still cannot walk, talk or swallow and faces a long recovery, according to newly released court documents.

Officer Travis “T.J.” Brown is still being fed through a tube, the documents say. He knows one or two words. And he’s been in surgery after surgery.

“He’s been fighting for his life since this happened,” Brown’s mother, Barbara Brown, told a judge, according to the documents. “His whole life has changed. He’s missing out on his daughters. They don’t have their dad because of something that someone done that he shouldn’t have.”

Barbara Brown addressed the judge during a bond reduction hearing last month for Elijah Gantt, the protester charged with assaulting her son. Gantt has been in jail since that August night on a $500,000 cash-only bond. The Post-Dispatch requested a copy of the transcript, which provided a rare glimpse into the condition and recovery of Brown, 37.

Barbara Brown declined to comment further on her son’s condition.

Gantt, 29, was at a gathering outside the Ferguson Police Department commemorating the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s death.

About 40 people had gathered in front of the police headquarters, with traffic diverted to make room as they drank beer, ate food and filled the street.

The gathering remained peaceful until around 11 p.m. But then protesters began shaking a fence outside the police station, and officers came out to arrest them.

That’s when things turned chaotic. Several protesters, including Gantt, ran from cops. Gantt can be seen on surveillance footage making a sharp turn around a parked car and barreling into Brown.

The impact slammed Brown to the ground, with Gantt on top of him. Brown’s head smashed into the pavement as the two fell.

Brown was rushed to the hospital by his fellow officers, and Gantt was arrested.

Gantt was indicted in September by a grand jury and charged with first-degree assault, six counts of fourth-degree assault on a special victim, resisting arrest, property damage, rioting, attempting to tamper with physical evidence, and escape or attempted escape.

Brown remained unconscious for nearly two months. In November, he was flown to an Atlanta rehab facility. He’s now at a Nebraska hospital for another surgery, assistant prosecuting attorney Kelly Hill said during the July 18 hearing.

Gantt’s defense attorney, Robert “Tom” Topping, acknowledged at the hearing that the protest “turned sideways.”

But Topping argued it was not a deliberate attack.

“There is something offensive to the law of nature to dispute the grieving of a mother, and I acknowledge that,” Topping said at the hearing. “I think all of our hearts are wrenched by the pain of Ms. Brown.”

Still, Topping asked Judge Elizabeth Ott to lower his bond to $1,000.

Hill, the prosecutor, argued Gantt should stay in custody because he poses a threat to the community.

“Our position is (Gantt) tackled an officer, who was literally doing nothing, and then he tried to flee,” she said. “He is, obviously, dangerous.”

She also pointed to the severity of Brown’s injuries.

“He still can’t talk, walk or swallow,” Hill said. “He knows one or two words.”

Barbara Brown said her son has had about eight surgeries since he was injured.

Ott, the judge, denied the request for a bond reduction and also discussed the possibility of moving Gantt’s 10-day June trial to earlier in the year if her schedule opens up.

The prosecutor’s office declined to comment.

Topping told the Post-Dispatch on Friday he couldn’t comment on the judge’s bond ruling.

“In the fullness of time, the true story of what happened that night will come out,” Topping said.

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