A Texas public defender is facing serious criminal charges after police say she broke into a home and attacked her ex-boyfriend with a hammer before biting him during a violent confrontation.
Brianna Berry, 25, has been charged with burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault, according to Harris County court records.
The alleged attack happened Sept. 3 at a home in Humble, a small city northeast of Houston.
According to charging documents, Berry allegedly went to a home owned by her ex-boyfriend’s aunt because she wanted to get back together with him.
Police say the man locked the doors and repeatedly told Berry to leave.
Instead, authorities allege she broke through two doors and forced her way inside.
A neighbor eventually called police after hearing yelling and seeing the confrontation turn violent.
“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,” the neighbor told KTRK.
Investigators say Berry found a hammer in the garage and struck her ex-boyfriend two or three times in the arm and back.
She then allegedly bit him on the hand.
The case is especially unusual because Berry works for the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, where she represents people accused of crimes.
Berry received her law license in April 2026 and was hired by the public defender’s office shortly afterward.
She had reportedly been handling misdemeanor cases and was considered a relatively new employee.
In a statement, the Harris County Public Defender’s Office said it was focused on maintaining the trust of employees and clients while also respecting Berry’s legal rights.
“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,” the office said. “At the same time, we recognize and respect Ms. Berry’s right to due process and the presumption of innocence.”
Authorities said Berry later told investigators that she and her ex had only broken up about a week before the incident.
Her ex-boyfriend, however, reportedly told police the relationship had ended roughly a year earlier.
During a probable cause hearing this week, Berry asked the court to appoint her a public defender, according to KTRK.
“Good luck, Ms. Berry, keep your chin up, it’s going to be over before you know it,” the magistrate told her during the hearing.
Prosecutors requested that bond be set at $75,000.
Instead, the court set Berry’s total bond at $4,000 for both charges.
She later posted bond and was released from jail.
Court records show Berry has since hired a defense attorney.
She is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 8.
