Darrel Brooks, the man accused of killing six Christmas paradegoers in Wisconsin last year, was thrown out of court three times on Monday for a series of odd outbursts.
Brooks is charged with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and 61 counts of reckless endangerment, which may lead to life in prison if he is convicted of any of the homicide charges.
Prosecutors claim Brooks drove a red SUV through the parade route on November 21, 2021, killing six people and injured more than 60 more.
According to authorities, Brooks caught up with his ex-girlfriend at Frame Park on Nov. 21, 2021, the same lady he is suspected of driving over with his red SUV earlier that month. She told police that they had an argument in his SUV before he began driving, and that he “was driving around with one hand and hitting her in the face with his other hand.” She ultimately got out and asked for aid from her pals.
Brooks was expressing an issue with papers placed at his station moments after the jury was called into the Waukesha County courthouse – documentation Judge Jennifer Dorow stated needed to be taken up with the clerk of courts and would not be handled in court.
Brooks shouted loudly, and the jury was led back out of the courtroom.
Darrel Brooks, 40, interrupted proceedings just before jury selection, requiring the court to take many interruptions and finally instructing him to attend from another room.
At one moment, he could be seen leaning his arms on the table, his suit jacket pulled up over his head.
Brooks, who is representing himself, oddly interrupted Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow, claiming he did not recognize her or the state of Wisconsin.
Despite appealing with Brooks to stop interrupting and threatening to take him to another courtroom, Brooks continued with his disruptions and court requests. Judge Dorow then took another break to allow Brooks to “cool off.”
Craig Liermann, Assistant Police Chief for the Franklin Police Department, was the first to testify for the state on Friday. He said that he and his family went to the Waukesha Christmas Parade as civilians. He stated that he and his family wished to get into the holiday mood. Liermann described how a red SUV driver came barreling along the procession path. He stated that the vehicle’s engine was revving higher than usual, almost as if it was in the wrong gear.
“I saw the car was moving quicker,” I could sense there was something awry.”
Liermann explained
Liermann said in court that he had a good glimpse at the SUV’s driver and described him in detail. The SUV then drove right through into the Catholic Community of Waukesha group on the parade route, according to Liermann.
“When he moved through that crowd, he ran over many of them. I saw individuals emerge from behind the truck “
According to Liermann.
Ralph Salyers, a Wauwatosa Police officer, was the second to speak up for the state. His girls participated in the Waukesha Christmas parade with their dance team, he testified.
Salyers stated that he attended the event as a citizen with his family. They stood on the southeast corner of Maple and Main to watch the procession. Salyers claimed his family departed to pick up his girls at Cutler Park after his kids passed by in the march. They then decided to return home.
Ralph Salyers said that while he was heading toward his car, he spotted an SUV traveling in an alley near Maple Street and heard a crash. He then noticed the smashed SUV.
“I saw the driver come out and shout and stare at the front of the vehicle,” Ralph Salyers recalled. “He looked to be in a state of fear. He returned to the car and took goods from the driver’s side before fleeing southward.”
Ralph Slayer mentioned
Brooks attempted, but failed, to have the lawsuit dismissed again on Thursday. Brooks went on a 50-minute diatribe late Thursday morning, pleading for the case against him to be dropped, stating a variety of reasons why proceedings should be terminated. The request was dismissed by Judge Jennifer Dorow, who stated, “This trial will continue.”
He submitted a number of demands to the court, stating that he wanted certified copies of “everything.”
He claimed that neither the docket document nor Dorow’s oath of office, which “you indicated for the record you would not provide me,” were certified.
Judge Dorow interrupted Brooks after 50 minutes, commenting that he had “repeated yourself a number of times.” She offered the state the opportunity to reply.
Brooks “knowingly and intentionally insisted on defending himself at trial,” according to Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper. Opper responded to Brooks’ statement about acting in his own defense, saying, “it doesn’t make me flinch one bit.”