Shivangi Sinha
In April 2021, police in Birmingham, Alabama, responded to reports of a shooting and discovered Louis Bryant dead from a gunshot wound. His girlfriend, Jasmine Drake, was present at the scene and initially told officers that the shooting was accidental and that they had been playing with a gun when it discharged. However, during a later interrogation at the police station, she gave a different account and alleged that Louis had been acting aggressively toward her, and she shot him in self-defense. The case is explored in depth in A&E’s ‘Accused: Guilty or Innocent?’ episode titled ‘Killer Mom or Abusive Survivor?’ It delves into the incident and the defense presented by Jasmine.
Jasmine Drake Claimed That She Had Shot Her Boyfriend in Self-Defense
In 2011, Jasmine Drake met Louis Bryant when she was just 18 years old, while he was 33. Despite the age gap, the two developed a strong connection and soon entered into a serious relationship. They built their life together in Birmingham, Alabama, and went on to have three children—two daughters and a son. According to Jasmine, their relationship was initially stable and happy. However, she claimed that things began to deteriorate around 2018 when Louis allegedly became dependent on drugs. She accused him of becoming physically abusive toward her and their children and stated that the situation left her feeling trapped and without a way out.
In 2019, police were called to Jasmine and Louis’ home after the former made allegations of abuse. However, no charges were filed against Louis at the time, and he returned home. Then, on the morning of April 1, 2021, at approximately 4:30 am, Jasmine called 911 and reported that Louis had been shot. Emergency responders arrived at their residence at 1516 Vanderbilt Road in Birmingham, Alabama, and attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Initially, Jasmine told the 911 operator and first responders that they had been playing with a gun when it accidentally discharged. However, her account changed once she was taken to the police station for questioning. There, she claimed that Louis had become violent, allegedly pushing her into a chair and threatening her with a gun to her temple. Jasmine said she managed to grab another firearm, and while he was reportedly on top of her, the gun accidentally went off.
Jasmine Drake Alleged She Had Been in an Abusive Relationship For Years
The autopsy report did show that the bullet had traveled upward, but there was more evidence needed. Jasmine was charged with capital murder and spent five weeks in jail before being released on a $100,000 bond. After her release, she assembled a defense team and recounted the events of that night in detail, maintaining that she had acted in self-defense. A key concern in her case was the inconsistency between her initial statement and her later claim that it was an act of self-defense. She explained that she originally told police they were playing with the gun because Louis had prior charges and was not legally allowed to possess a firearm. She claimed she didn’t want to get him in trouble and was unaware at the time that he had died.
In the months that followed, Jasmine publicly described the alleged abuse she endured during her relationship with Louis. She presented photographs, text messages, and other documentation to support her claims. Jasmine’s defense team also reached out to both her own family and Louis Bryant’s relatives, many of whom allegedly confirmed they had observed signs of physical abuse in the household. The defense was further strengthened by the personal diary of Jasmine’s eldest daughter, who was nine years old at the time of the incident. In her diary, the child had written about witnessing alleged aggression from her father toward her mother. However, when recounting the events of the night of the shooting, she also noted that it was her mother who had produced the gun first.
Following her release on bond, Jasmine lost permanent custody of her three children. Legal guardianship was granted to her brother, although she was allowed limited visitation several times a week. The looming threat of a life sentence, or even the death penalty, left her deeply anxious and uncertain about her future. In 2022, Jasmine’s legal team successfully petitioned for a Stand Your Ground hearing, a legal proceeding that allows defendants to argue they used force in self-defense without the obligation to retreat. However, the judge ultimately dismissed the motion, ruling that there was no clear indication that Jasmine had acted with the necessary intent to qualify for immunity under the statute.
Jasmine Drake is No Longer in Custody Today
Following this decision, Jasmine Mari Drake’s attorneys began preparing for a full trial, which was scheduled to take place in 2024. During this time, the prosecution presented Jasmine with a plea deal that the murder charge would be reduced to manslaughter, and she would face five years in prison followed by five years of probation. However, accepting the plea would result in a criminal record and permanent loss of custody of her children. By this point, Jasmine was also the mother of a 7-month-old infant, and the thought of leaving her children made the offer deeply distressing. She ultimately decided that accepting the deal was not in her best interest or that of her family. However, just before the trial was set to begin, the prosecutors contacted her attorney with the unexpected news that they had decided to drop all charges.
According to reports, the prosecutors had been in communication with members of Louis Bryant’s family, who allegedly confirmed that Jasmine had acted in self-defense during the incident. In May 2024, at her scheduled court hearing, the judge formally dismissed all charges with prejudice, meaning the case is permanently closed and cannot be refiled in the future. Jasmine was officially cleared and free to go. Jasmine continues to reside in Birmingham, Alabama, with her four children. Though she appears to maintain a low profile, she has shared that she is currently on a journey of self-discovery and self-love.
According to Jasmine, during her relationship with her former partner, she felt restricted in how she expressed herself, particularly in how she dressed. Now, she’s exploring her identity by experimenting with her looks and embracing her personal style, aiming to reconnect with who she is as an individual. Professionally, she has experience working at Liberty National Insurance Company and has run her own independent lawn care business. According to recent reports, she has secured a position at a car dealership, a role she reportedly enjoys. As of writing, Jasmine Mari Drake seems committed to moving forward with her life, focusing on healing and taking each day as it comes.
Read More: Louis Bryant Murder Details and Investigation Timeline
