Judge rejects cameras in courtroom for Brant Cullen preliminary hearing

When former Redings Mill firefighter Brant Cullen's preliminary hearing is held 9 a.m. October 15 in Jasper County Circuit Court, no television cameras will be allowed in the courtroom, despite the considerable public interest.

Cullen is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in connection with the October 19, 2024 death of Redings Mill and Lockwood firefighter Tucker Berry, 21.

Lawrence County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Kasper denied the request for a pool camera Monday, giving no reason why. He simply checked a box on a handy form.

Kasper's decision certainly came as no surprise. He never allows cameras in the courtroom.

Earlier this year, Kasper rejected a request to have cameras at the preliminary hearing of Thomas Coy, 64, Wentworth, who is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the February 5 shooting death of Jasmine Sky Taylor, 23, Joplin, an Amazon delivery driver.

In that case at least, Kasper wrote a short message explaining his decision.

In a terse, handwritten note, Kasper wrote the following:

Request for camera in the courtroom for preliminary hearing is denied in this case. News personnel are allowed in the courtroom as space permits.

 Kasper was assigned the Cullen case after Jasper County judges all recused themselves.

Background of Cullen case

It took seven months after Tucker Berry died in a golf cart incident in Carl Junction before the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed the charge against Cullen, a charge it had rejected earlier despite what some thought to be considerable evidence that a crime may have been committed and those people made themselves heard.

Strong criticism of the decision not to file charges and further investigation by the Carl Junction Police Department led to the charge.

The allegations against Duncan, (DOB 1997), Carl Junction, were detailed in the probable cause statement:

On the evening of October 19, 2024, at approximately 6:00 PM, {Tucker Berry) suffered fatal injuries after falling from a golf cart driven by Brant Cullen.

The incident took place on Fairway Drive in Carl Junction, Jasper County Missouri. Multiple witnesses observed Cullen and his associates operating two golf carts at high speeds in a manner described as reckless.

Witnesses reported seeing the carts racing, swerving, and making sharp turns right before the victim fell off the vehicle. A witness observed the two carts “racing” and expressed at the time that the behavior was “stupid” and could result in someone getting hurt.

Another witness saw the carts leaving the pavilion area of the Briarbrook Golf Course at a high rate of speed which he considered reckless, with men standing on the backs of the carts.
A witness observed the golf carts being driven recklessly on a trail by her house.

Another witness stated that the occupants of the carts were behaving recklessly, honking the horn, yelling, and "hooting and hollering" as they drove down the road.

A witness observed the carts swerving back and forth, describing the movements as sudden and erratic.

At one point, the cart carrying swerved sharply, which resulted in {Berry} falling off the cart. Cullen was driving the cart that fell from.

When Carl Junction Officers were notified of the nature of the incident, Officer Gaines attempted to contact Cullen at the hospital where had been taken, but Cullen was not there.
Officer Jensen attempted to contact Cullen at his home and there was no response. When Cullen was eventually contacted, the day following the event, he invoked his right to an attorney.

There is evidence of alcohol consumption by Cullen the afternoon of the accident as indicated by credit card receipts from the business where Cullen ate a late lunch and from witnesses who were at his house prior to the accident.   

The Redings Mill Fire Department fired Cullen after Berry's death.