Wisconsin: Waukesha Christmas Parade Attack Suspect Darrell Brooks Represents Himself at Homicide Trial

Despite mental health concerns, the man responsible for killing six people and wounding dozens in a Christmas parade in Wisconsin last year represented himself in his homicide trial Thursday.

Darrell Brooks, 40, was the driver of a red SUV who plowed into a crowd of Christmas parade attendees in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on November 21, 2021, which turned the happy celebration into a massacre.

According to CNN, Brooks, 40, was charged with six counts of intentional homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon, six counts of fatal hit and run, 61 counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, two counts of felony bail jumping, and two counts of battery.

Wisconsin Man Darrell Brooks Fires His Public Defenders

Darrell Brooks has been representing himself for the Christmas Parade attack case since last week when he demanded Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow fire his public defenders.

Jury selection for the case began Monday, with Brooks repeatedly interrupting Dorow before prospective jurors arrived. Because of this, the judge sent Brooks to another courtroom where he can still watch the proceedings via video but can only talk when the judge allowed him to.

Monday was the first day of the Waukesha Parade suspect's trial, and Thursday was the first day of testimony. His courtroom interruptions continued on Thursday, with Brooks interrupting Dorow at least 12 times before the jury arrived.

Dorow again ordered the Wisconsin man removed from the courtroom to a separate room. When he got to another courtroom, Brooks took off his prison shirt, sat behind the defense table, and started making hand gestures and poking the table.

The court gave him a sign to hold up the camera to signal objections but taped it to the front of his pants. Brooks had also asked for medical attention for a cut on his finger, but Dorow told him that the wound had no blood and would have to wait until lunch break.

After that break, Dorow allowed Brooks to return to the main courtroom, and he seemed to have a bandage on his right pinky. At one point, the Wisconsin man pleaded not guilty due to a mental illness but withdrew it without giving an explanation and pleaded not guilty instead.

Before the trial, psychological assessments found him competent, according to the Associated Press.

Waukesha Christmas Parade Attack Suspect Darrell Brooks Is Just Delaying the Trial, Says District Attorney

Susan Opper, the district attorney, told Jennifer Dorow that she believed Darrell Brooks was merely attempting to delay the trial. Opper noted that audio recordings of Brooks' phone calls from prison reveal that he talks about his case daily with various persons.

"These actions are deliberate and intentional, and they have escalated... He's attempting to derail these proceedings and delay the inevitable," Opper said. Dorow shared the same sentiment, noting that four psychologists had evaluated Brooks.

"It's very clear to this court that everything that he has done as outlined by the state and made evident on the record of these proceedings that it is the sole intent of Mr. Brooks to make a mockery of this process," Dorow said. "I believe this trial needs to continue and should continue."

According to CBS News, Brooks took his objection sign out of his pants and stood behind the table with his eyes shut as Dorow called the jurors into the courtroom. Dorow then started reading each accusation. After the lunch break, when the suspect returned to the main courtroom, Brooks claimed he had no idea what was happening.

Dorow asserted that she believed he understood what she was saying and that he should not interrupt. As Dorow presented the allegations to the jury, Brooks remained still for almost an hour.

Later, Brooks told the judge he had free speech rights under the Constitution. Dorow said court decorum and legal procedure limited his free speech rights.

Brooks then asked if the judge was making a judicial determination to deprive him of his constitutional rights. Dorow responded by saying that he has a right to present a defense, but his rights are not unfettered.

Brooks, who chose not to make an opening statement, said he would make one after prosecutors finish their case and when it is his turn to present evidence. The trial is expected to call witnesses who will recount the chaos of the day of the attack.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Judge Boots Darrell Brooks From Courtroom After Multiple Outbursts - From Law&Crime Network