ST. LOUIS, MO  (July 9, 2026) — James Brison, 44, was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for first-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and possession of a weapon at a correctional center in connection with two separate crimes committed in 2022.

On January 22, 2022, officers responded to a shooting near Riverview Boulevard and Halls Ferry Circle and found a 40-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her back. The victim told investigators that she and Brison were arguing while driving when Brison threatened to kill her. She opened the passenger door and jumped from the vehicle. As she exited the vehicle, Brison shot her. Witnesses saw the victim jump from a gray Nissan Altima, heard a gunshot, and watched her collapse near businesses. Investigators recovered surveillance video, ballistic evidence, and the victim's personal belongings. A short time later, officers responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle nearby. Witnesses reported seeing an armed man flee from the defendant’s vehicle, and surveillance footage captured the suspect running from the scene. Officers located Brison nearby and recovered meth and a loaded .45-caliber handgun from his person.

While awaiting trial, Brison assaulted a correctional officer at the St. Louis City Justice Center on June 24, 2022. Surveillance video showed Brison leaving his cell, speaking with another inmate, approaching the officer, and punching him multiple times. The second inmate joined the assault moments later. The officer suffered a broken hand and multiple stab wounds to his head, face, arms, and lip. During Brison's transfer to another facility, staff recovered an improvised sharp weapon with apparent blood stains from his person.

"This prosecution removes a repeat violent offender from our community," said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. "Our office will aggressively prosecute violent crime because every successful prosecution furthers our mission to achieve a higher level of public safety for everyone who lives, works, and visits our community."

The defendant has prior convictions of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and distribution of a controlled substance. 

Special Victims Unit Deputy Supervisor Sydney Beecher and Assistant Circuit Attorney Katelyn Wall prosecuted the case.

The defendant's case numbers are 2222-CR00086-01 and 2222-CR01062-01.