Darrell Brooks trial: Waukesha killer ticks off judge on day 1, sent back to cell for bizarre antics
WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN: Darrell Brooks who has been accused of running over six paradegoers in Waukesha, Wisconsin, last year during the Christmas parade was repeatedly removed from the court on October 3 due to a slew of bizarre outbursts during day 2 of his trial. Judge Jennifer Dorow had to take multiple interruptions as a result of Brooks, 40, interfering with the procedures prior to jury selection. Eventually, the judge sent him off to participate in the court proceedings from a different room. A jury was not selected on Oct 3 and court will resume on Oct 4 morning.
Judge Dorow of Waukesha County was abruptly interrupted by self-represented Brooks who claimed he didn't recognize any of them as judges or the state of Wisconsin. He repeatedly called her name and stated multiple times that he did not have enough time to prepare his defense. At one point, he pulled his suit jacket up over his head and he could be seen putting his arms on the table in disbelief, states NY Post.
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He is accused of six first-degree intentional homicides and 61 counts of reckless endangerment. If found guilty of any of the homicide charges, he may spend the rest of his life in prison. Before the final 16 jurors are chosen, Dorow stated in court records, approximately 340 potential jurors may be called to pass judgment on the Waukesha parade killing case. The jury would consist of twelve people, with the remaining four serving as alternates. It is estimated that three to four days could pass before the jury is chosen. With the trial getting off to a rough start from day 1 itself, the days taken may be longer.
At one point of time, Brooks was ordered back to his cell because of his outbursts before potential jurors had even entered the courtroom. As soon as the judge moved him into another room where he took part via video, Brooks continued to be disruptive, demanding that Dorow state her name and challenging the legitimacy of the court. She muted him until it was his turn to speak while at times he appeared to talk to himself and made hand gestures. "This court is on day one. It is 2:15 p.m. This court, within five minutes of starting court this morning, had to remove Mr. Brooks based upon his interruptions at that time. I've lost track, but I think I'm at least five or six. Who knows?" Dorow said on Oct 3 frustrated at Brooks' acting up in court, reports WISN.
On the first day of the trial, Dorow imposed ten breaks and threatened to appoint Brooks an attorney despite her earlier granting him permission to represent himself. Brooks questioned his first witness, the Waukesha County Jail administrator who testified Brooks had access to a tablet after hours in his cell which has a law library on it. Brooks also could have used a conference room with a computer to view electronic evidence.
It's nothing new for Brooks to act aggressively. He was taken away from the courtroom in August 2022 as well at a preliminary hearing due to his actions. At one point during the pre-trial proceedings, Dorow roared at Brooks in court to "stop playing games." Due to a mental illness, he initially entered a not guilty plea but then changed his mind. Last week, he persuaded Dorow to let him operate as his own attorney in spite of his erratic courtroom behavior.