Brice Rhodes – A Case Study of Mental Illness, Violence, and Justice

Imagine you are sitting in a courtroom, waiting for the trial of a man accused of killing three people, including two teenagers. You expect to see a remorseful or defiant defendant, but instead, you witness a series of bizarre and disturbing outbursts. The man shouts obscenities, insults the judge and the victims’ families, and even threatens to kill more people. Brice Rhodes claims he is innocent, but also says he is the devil and God at the same time.

He shows no signs of rationality or empathy, only anger and delusion. This is not a fictional scenario, but a reality for anyone who has followed the case of Brice Rhodes, a rapper and a murderer. Rhodes has been in jail since 2020, awaiting trial for three homicides that shocked the city of Louisville, Kentucky. He is also one of the most notorious and controversial figures in the American criminal justice system, as his case raises questions about mental illness, violence, and justice.

How did Rhodes become a killer? What is wrong with his mind? And what should be done with him? In this article, we will explore the life and crimes of Brice Rhodes, a case study of mental illness, violence, and justice. We will examine his background, his murders, his court appearances, and his psychological evaluations. We will also discuss the challenges and dilemmas that his case poses for the legal system, the mental health system, and the society at large.

The Background of Brice Rhodes

Brice Rhodes grew up in a troubled family, with a history of domestic violence, drug abuse, and mental illness. He was involved in several feuds and conflicts with other rappers, gangs, and individuals. He was known for being ruthless and merciless, and for not fearing anyone or anything.

The Murders Committed by Brice Rhodes

Brice Rhodes killed Christopher Jones, 40 on May 4, 2016, by shooting him on South 41st Street in Louisville, Kentucky. Rhodes was allegedly accompanied by Anjuan Carter and Maurice Gordon, who were driving the car. Rhodes targeted Jones because he mistook him for someone else who had a price on his head. Jones was the first of the three victims that Rhodes murdered in 2016. Rhodes became increasingly worried that they would inform the police.

Approximately two-and-a-half weeks later, the teenagers were killed. Up until that moment, the case of Jones’ murder had remained unsolved. On May 22, 2016, just two weeks after the murder of Christopher Jones, Brice Rhodes and his accomplices decided to kill Larry Ordway and Maurice Gordon, the teen brothers who were witnesses to the shooting. Rhodes became increasingly worried that they would inform the police.

Approximately two-and-a-half weeks later, the teenagers were killed. Up until that moment, the case of Jones’ murder had remained unsolved. According to the testimony of Anjuan Carter, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the murders, Rhodes lured the brothers to his home, where he stabbed them multiple times with a large knife. He then ordered Carter, Jacorey Taylor, and Tieren Coleman to help him dispose of the bodies. They wrapped the bodies in blankets, put them in the trunk of a car, and drove to an abandoned house.

There, they dumped the bodies in the backyard, poured gasoline on them, and set them on fire. They also burned their clothes and the knife used in the killings. The next day, the charred remains of Larry and Maurice were discovered by a neighbor, who called the police. The police identified the victims through dental records and DNA analysis. They also found surveillance footage that showed Rhodes’ car near the crime scene. They traced the car to Rhodes’ home, where they arrested him and his co-defendants.

They also found evidence that linked them to the murder of Christopher Jones, such as shell casings, blood stains, and rap lyrics that bragged about the shooting. Rhodes and his accomplices were charged with three counts of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Rhodes was also charged with arson and being a persistent felony offender. He faced the death penalty but was later ruled ineligible due to his intellectual disability and mental illness.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He also claimed that he was framed by the police, the prosecutors, and his co-defendants, who testified against him in exchange for plea deals. On October 19, 2017, Rhodes was charged with several offenses including resisting confinement, assaulting a corrections officer, making death threats towards a female officer, and reportedly throwing and striking an officer with a bottle filled with urine.

Latest Happenings in Brice Rhodes Sentencing Case

• On December 19, 2023, a jury found Brice Rhodes guilty on all counts in the triple murder case. He was convicted of killing Christopher Jones, Larry Ordway, and Maurice Gordon in 2016, by shooting, stabbing, and burning them.
• Rhodes had a massive band-aid on his head in court, which was reportedly due to a self-inflicted injury he suffered in jail. He also had several outbursts during the trial, insulting and threatening the judge, the prosecutors, the witnesses, and the victims’ families.
• Rhodes was previously ruled ineligible for the death penalty, due to his intellectual disability and mental illness. He has bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a low IQ of 71. He will face a sentencing hearing in January 2024, where he could receive life in prison without parole.

Bottom Line

Brice Rhodes’ case serves as a chilling case study of the intersection between mental illness, violence, and the criminal justice system. His erratic behavior, violent crimes, and inability to show remorse or empathy highlight the challenges faced by society in effectively addressing and providing justice for individuals with severe mental illnesses.