Harris County public defender charged for allegedly hitting ex-boyfriend with hammer
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A lawyer with the Harris County Public Defender's Office was arrested and charged for allegedly breaking into a home, hitting her ex-boyfriend with a hammer, and biting him.
According to court records, 25-year-old Brianna Berry wanted to reconcile the relationship and went to the Humble-area home of her ex-boyfriend's aunt, where her ex lives.
Records say Berry's ex tried to lock her out and told her to go away, but she forced her way in, breaking two doors in the process.
One neighbor said he called police after watching the fight devolve.
"There was a lot of yelling and arguing going on, and about six or seven people outside, and the young lady had a hammer, and they were all fighting and hitting each other," neighbor T.J. Feathers said.
Eventually, records say Berry grabbed a hammer from the garage and used it to hit her ex in the arm and back two to three times, and then bit him on the hand.
"That's when my neighbor and I called the cops, and they showed up and arrested her," Feathers said.
Berry went to jail, charged with burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault of a family member.
In her probable cause hearing, Berry can be heard asking for a public defender, a job she is familiar with.
Berry, as it turns out, is a public defender herself. Data from the Harris County District Clerk's website shows she has worked on a handful of misdemeanor cases after gaining her law license in April 2026.
The magistrate in Berry's probable cause hearing said this in closing.
"Good luck, Ms. Berry, keep your chin up, it's going to be over before you know it," the magistrate said.
Eyewitness News reached out to the Harris County Public Defender's office, which said:
"The Office's priority is to maintain the trust and confidence of our employees and clients, and any employment decisions will be made with that in mind. At the same time, we recognize and respect Ms. Berry's right to due process and the presumption of innocence."
ABC13 reached out to Berry's lawyer and attempted to contact Berry herself, as well as her ex-boyfriend, but did not hear back.
