Judge allows Waukesha Christmas parade ‘killer’ Darrell Brooks represent HIMSELF at homicide trial
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Judge allows Waukesha Parade ‘murderer’ Darrell Brooks, 40, to represent HIMSELF in murder trial as he faces killing six and injuring dozens of others
- Brooks was charged after driving his SUV through the Waukesha Christmas Parade on November 21, 2021
- Judge Jennifer Dorow decided that Brooks could represent herself at the jury selection trial that begins Monday
- Although he suffers from a personality disorder and could face an experienced team of prosecutors, it has been revealed that he is mentally fit
- Judge Dorow’s decision puts Brooks in an unusual position to defend himself against a range of charges, including six counts of willful manslaughter
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A judge has ordered a Wisconsin man accused of killing six people and injuring dozens more when he allegedly drove his SUV through a Christmas parade to represent himself at trial.
It has been determined that Darrell Brooks, 40, suffers from a personality disorder and that while he could face an uphill battle against an experienced team of prosecutors, he is mentally fit.
The decision by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow puts Brooks in the unusual position of defending herself against a range of charges, including six counts of willful manslaughter.
His trial begins Monday with the selection of the jury.
The 40-year-old has an equivalent high school diploma, but did not attend college. Dorow said he has the constitutional right to act as his own attorney if he is mentally competent.
Dorow said she reviewed evaluations conducted by four Brooks psychologists and agreed with their findings that while he has a personality disorder and is disruptive, he is intelligent and articulate enough to defend himself.
A judge has allowed Wisconsin man Darrell Brooks, who is accused of killing six people and injuring dozens more as he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade, to represent himself at trial.
Judge Jennifer Dorow (right) decided that Brooks (left) could represent herself at the trial that begins Monday with jury selection
It has been revealed that although he suffers from a personality disorder and could face an experienced team of prosecutors, he is mentally capable of representing himself.
Judge Dorow’s decision puts Brooks in an unusual position to defend himself against a range of charges, including six counts of willful manslaughter
She warned him that he will have problems understanding the rules of evidence, when to object to statements and how to interview witnesses without any training, but she can’t stand in his way.
“This court has warned Mr Brooks what he’s getting into,” Dorow said.
According to prosecutors and investigators, Brooks drove his SUV through a Christmas parade in downtown Waukesha on Nov. 21, 2021.
According to one indictment, he refused orders to stop and continued to drive, hitting people even as police officers fired at his vehicle.
He would face life in prison if convicted of any of the murder charges.
He faces 71 additional counts, including 61 counts of reckless reckless endangering. Each of those counts carries a maximum penalty of 12 and a half years in prison.
Brooks was charged after he drove his SUV through the Waukesha Christmas Parade (pictured) on November 21, 2021
Those counts also have an increase in sentence for using a dangerous weapon, which would add another five years on each count.
He initially pleaded not guilty to mental illness but withdrew that plea earlier this month and filed a motion to represent himself.
He told Dorow in court on Tuesday that his public defenders, Jeremy Perri and Anna Kees, failed to explain to him the nature of the charges.
Dorow repeatedly asked if he understood what he was doing, to which Brooks insisted he knew, but didn’t understand.
Dorow became so frustrated with him that she adjourned the hearing and continued Wednesday.
Their exchanges were equally combative on Wednesday — Brooks constantly interrupted Dorow as she tried to re-explain the ramifications of his decision and warned him she probably wouldn’t appoint a lawyer for the case if he asked as the trial progresses.
The judge warned him that if he continues to interrupt the trial, she will admonish him in front of the jury.
“That’s fine,” Brooks replied.
What it looked like when Brooks drove his SUV into a crowd of people during the Christmas parade?
Candles were lit at a memorial in Veterans Park to the victims of a fatal crash during the Christmas Parade in Waukesha on November 23, 2021
The Six Deadly Victims Of The Waukesha Christmas Parade Killer
Darrell Brooks, 40, faces 61 counts of reckless endangerment to safety through the use of a dangerous weapon for every person injured in the Nov. 21 incident, along with six counts of murder, according to court records released on Friday. were submitted on Wednesday.
He is accused of plowing through the crowd during the November 21 parade, which left six dead and dozens injured.
The fatalities were Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, Wilhelm Hospel, 81, and Jackson Sparks, 8.
Four of the five killed were members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies.
Brooks’ motive remains unknown.
Jane Kulich was a Citizen Bank employee who walked a float before being fatally wounded. The sixth victim of the tragedy was Jackson Sparks, 8
Tamara Durand (left), 52, and Leana ‘Lee’ Owen (right), 71, were two members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies
Virginia Sorenson (left), 79, was a nurse and member of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, a group of elderly women who marched in the parade. Wilhelm Hospel (right), 82, the husband of one of the grandmothers, died of internal bleeding