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Sep. 15, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Being accused shaped attorney

Lawyer for Simpson co-defendant was in fatal fight in 1982

By DAVID KIHARA
REVIEW-JOURNAL
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E. Brent Bryson gestures in his office during a recent interview. Bryson is one of the attorneys representing Clarence "C.J." Stewart, the co-defendant in the O.J. Simpson trial.
Photo by Ralph Fountain.

Attorney E. Brent Bryson has his reasons for becoming involved in the O.J. Simpson case, and they lie in his past.

More than 25 years ago, Bryson killed a man during a fight at a hotel lounge in Casper, Wyo. The killing took place years before Bryson, a well-known criminal and civil attorney, practiced law. At the time, he was a trumpet player and lead singer in a band that was playing in Casper.


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    • The fight, which took less than a minute, changed his life.

    "Up until that point, I had essentially been a happy-go-lucky type of guy who didn't take things too seriously," Bryson said. "But when something like this happens, then it really shapes you."

    Bryson is one of the attorneys representing Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart. Simpson, 61, and Stewart, 54, face kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges in connection with what authorities allege was a robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at Palace Station in September 2007.

    Opening statements in the trial are scheduled to start today.

    Stewart deserves a second chance, said Bryson, who got his own second chance when a jury acquitted him of manslaughter in 1983. Bryson was asked by lead defense attorney Robert Lucherini to help defend Stewart.

    Bryson, 51, has been a lawyer in Las Vegas since 1993. He's built a law practice on defending the people who he calls "the little guy." He's defended people accused of murder, sexual assault and robbery, among other things, and is widely known for taking police brutality cases.

    He's defending 19-year-old Ezekiel Williams, who along with Gerald Q. Davison is facing murder charges in connection with the drive-by shooting at Palo Verde High School in February that left freshman Christopher Privett dead.

    But Bryson wasn't always interested in the law. Until he was arrested in the 1982 death of 30-year-old Roche Boyles, a postal worker, Bryson planned on making a living as a professional musician. He had the talent, having played professional gigs as early as age 14.

    But after the slaying and his later acquittal, his passion for music withered. He eventually got a degree from Whittier Law School in California and chose to practice law.

    "I felt like I had a debt to repay," Bryson said. "I'm not a martyr. I'm proof that under the right circumstances the justice system works."

    Bryson still gets choked up when he speaks about the bar fight. Not known as an overtly emotional man, Bryson teared up when he talked about testifying on the stand in his trial.

    "This is a tough thing," he said, blotting tears from his eyes with a tissue in his Las Vegas office.

    On Aug. 27, 1982, Bryson and his jazz and R&B band, Caliente, was playing at a Hilton in Casper. After the first set, a woman in the audience called Bryson over to sit with her and her sister. Bryson joined them and unwittingly sat in a seat belonging to Boyles, who had stepped away.

    When Boyles returned to the table the two men, who had never met before that night, got into a fight over the seat. Bryson said Boyles swung at him with a beer bottle. Bryson had a wine glass in his hand, and they wrestled, he said.

    While fighting, Bryson realized he was covered in blood. He believed Boyles had gutted him. The blood, it turned out, belonged to Boyles, whose throat was cut during the fight. Prosecutors believed that it was Bryson's wine glass that caused the injury.

    Bryson said he surged with adrenaline, pinned Boyles against a couch and began punching him repeatedly while shouting, "I'm going to kill you, you (expletive)!"

    Bryson now says he made the threats in the heat of the moment and never intended to take the man's life.

    His version of events is supported by news reports from the Casper Star-Tribune newspaper, which reported on the fight and trial.

    Authorities arrived at the hotel, rushed Boyles to the hospital and booked Bryson into the local jail on aggravated assault. When Boyles died 22 hours after the fight, police held Bryson on suspicion of second-degree murder. The local district attorney's office later charged him with manslaughter.

    Bryson spent four days in the jail before he was released on $10,000 bond. He returned to his family in Tucson, Ariz., to wait for the trial.

    The trial, in 1983, lasted several days. On the third day, Bryson testified for about 11/2 hours. At one point, he broke down sobbing and had to take a break.

    "I cried like a little baby," Bryson said.

    He told jurors, among other things, that he was defending himself and reacted aggressively when he believed he had been stabbed.

    After deliberating for nine hours, the jury found him not guilty.

    It should have been a moment of great relief. He was a free man, and he believed God granted him another chance. He vowed to make the world a better place. But he said the slaying and trial changed him. The innocence and hope he once felt was no longer there.

    "It's like someone turned off the power switch, and I could feel the brightness in my eyes close off, as if someone pulled a circuit," he said. "I never got it back."

    The fight, which Bryson estimated took about 45 seconds, haunts him to this day. He said he still replays the incident in his mind and wonders whether there was something he could have done differently.

    "There's no winners here. Everybody's a loser," he said. "You think I'm a winner because I was acquitted? No way."

    Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara @reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.

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    Jeff wrote on January 04, 2009 03:46 PM: Too bad I saw this story so late and no one will ever see this post.
    I was a friend of Roche "Rocky" Boyles, and was there, at the bar and at the trial.

    In general what Bryson said is true, but he should have been convicted of, at least, involuntary manslaughter. There was no way that he was innocent, and I am not saying that because Rocky was a friend.

    This was not a case of justice done, but rather of poor presentation on the part of the state and great manipulation skills on the part of Bryson's attorney.

    Boyles left behind a young son, by the way.


    David M. wrote on October 04, 2008 01:05 PM: This is a non-story that was pitched by an attorney who has tried his hardest to become known as one of the greats and it has and will never happen as evidenced by all of his failed trials including the OJ trial as of late. All I can do is laugh. What a desperate joke. You can smell the desperation for fame on this guy from 20 miles away. LOL.


    mgh wrote on September 23, 2008 09:45 AM: One thing is for sure, Attorney Boyles got a fair trial, something that does not exist in the State of Nevada, especially Las Vegas. You are against a corrupted district attorney's office Mr. Boyles be very careful.


    Good Attorney wrote on September 21, 2008 02:23 PM: Joe, you said it well in your first post. Perhaps he should have started an anger-mgt organization or something.

    I am a good lawyer (never have been a parasite or bottom feeder). In fact, I detest frivolous lawsuits and bad ads like "have a wreck, get a check"! The problem with many lawsuits is not the lawyer, but the lying client. Keep that in mind (the client could be the true parasite using or lying to the lawyer to achieve an end that favors the client goal). Lawyers must therefore be extremely careful in representing anyone, and must be able detect lies or half truths. many people take advantage of lawyers. You will not hear that in the news.

    Have a great Sunday folks. Don't get in any fights. Control your anger when it arises.


    endrun wrote on September 16, 2008 12:55 PM: After all the venting I did, I did some research on Bryson's criminal defense history.

    Not stellar, but impressive compared to the outcomes in a majority of cases in Clark County.

    Of the few criminal cases he has handled since 1993, many resulted in dismissal with sentencing on the others lenient and mostly suspended.

    When you look at the records of many defense attorneys (with substantial more criminal case history) claiming minimal to no trial losses, the majority of which cases when researched, are pled guilty.

    My apology if my attack on attorneys in general seem directed at Bryson.

    Not a bad record against some pretty tough courts compared to a majority of defense attorneys.


    endrun wrote on September 16, 2008 12:02 PM: At any rate, Brysons personal experience with the system and justice was in Casper, Wyoming.

    Is there any way to compare that with Nevada?

    The outcome of his circumstances would most likely have been entirely different.

    Charged with murder one and an array of additional charges, presented with a plea agreement with 'incentives' for a reduction of the charges and penalties in exchange for a trial he would be certain to lose with the DA and defense counsel working to his disadvantage.


    endrun wrote on September 16, 2008 11:38 AM: '"I felt like I had a debt to repay," Bryson said. "I'm not a martyr. I'm proof that under the right circumstances the justice system works."'

    Maybe he is referring to a system without corruption and conflicts of intetest; or is he saying he has managed to use the system the way it is to his advantage?

    I wonder if he has taken any cases and practices pro bono for the little guy?


    endrun wrote on September 16, 2008 11:28 AM: Mamamia

    Key word...parasites!!!

    Another key phrase 'bottom feeders'

    Feeding off the backs of people who are in trouble for one reason or another (most commonly, personal injury)

    ...be honest and say 'yeah, I'm a scumbag' I admit it...'and next year I am running for judge'; or like the bums' 'Why lie? I need a beer!'

    It would be nice for once to find attorneys working for the interests of justice and not just mouthing it.


    Mamamia wrote on September 15, 2008 07:34 PM: At long last! An honest attorney people can trust. What a rarity in this town when somebody needs an attorney and the first thing the attorney says is "I have to have a five thousand dollar retainer first".

    They don't even ask you if you are innocent! Apparently almost all the lawyers in this town think everybody else is crooked like they are, and the poor don't deserve mercy nor defending.


    Mamamia wrote on September 15, 2008 07:33 PM: At long last! An honest attorney people can trust. What a rarity in this town when somebody needs an attorney and the first thing the attorney says is "I have to have a five thousand dollar retainer first".
    They don't even ask you if you are innocent! Apparently almost all the lawyers in this town think everybody else is crooked like they are, and the poor don't deserve mercy nor defending.


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