DEFENSE: Why Was Brixlee's Father Not Charged as Well?

SAN ANGELO, TX – Day 7 of the Cristin Bradley trial kicked off in the Tom Green County Courtroom Tuesday with Defense Attorney Thomas Jackson asking the lead investigator why other members of Brixlee's family were not charged.

Detective Bobby Ellrod took the stand on Aug. 1, 2023, to testify on the findings of his investigation. During this, he detailed everything from his time in the home to his conversations with 2-month-old Brixlee's medical examiner.

One of the details that stood out was his dealings with Brixlee's alleged father, Nathaniel Lee, and Cristin's mother, Brixlee's Great Grandmother, Betty Bradley. It was learned during the testimony that Lee and Betty both played a key role in the child's life.

For Lee, he is allegedly the father of the child. He had been around Brixlee since her birth and was at the home daily. However, the week prior to her death, Lee disappeared while celebrating his birthday. The last contact that Lee had with the mother was three days before Brixlee was taken to the hospital. During that conversation, he told the mother, Destiny Harbour, to take the baby off of corn syrup and formula and put the child on a soy substitute.

As for Brixlee's great-grandmother Betty, she was at the house every day caring for the child. Detective Ellrod confirmed that she admitted to being at the home more than Cristin, Cristin's boyfriend, Dustin Smock, and Destiny, all together.

"So why were these two not charged along with Bradley, Harbour, and Smock?" asked Jackson.

Ellrod's answer was simple. He claimed that he did not have enough evidence to prove they contributed to Brixlee's death. Doctors at both Shannon and Cooks Medical Center told him that the baby should've been taken to the hospital a week before she was. With that, anyone who was proven to be around the child caring for it at that time was charged.

The defense says that because of this, Bradley is once again being punished for trying to get the child help. The detective finished his testimony by saying, in his personal opinion, the child should have had prenatal care and been taken to the hospital once delivered. Anyone who knew of the baby's condition contributed to her death. That was his opinion, but as for the law, Detective Ellrod said he only charged those against whom he had evidence.

The trial will continue today with witness testimonies wrapping up by the end of the day or early Wednesday morning.