Darrell Brooks trial: Waukesha killer weeps in court, says 'there’s two sides to every story'
WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN: Darrell Brooks, who allegedly killed six people by driving his vehicle through a Christmas parade in Waukesha last year cried in court while presenting his opening statement on Thursday, October 20. The suspect has been in news for a while for his bizarre acts during his homicide trials.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Darrell Brooks, 40, who is accused of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide as well as numerous other offenses in connection with the vehicular massacre on November 21, 2021, told the jury that his sobs came "from the heart." He said in court, "I am just gonna speak from the heart."
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On day 14 of the highly publicized trial, Brooks began his defense by stating that, “There’s always two sides to every story,” according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "There’s only been one side told to this story." According to police, Brooks is accused of plowing his red Ford Escape right into the middle of the celebratory parade, causing more than 60 injuries and six fatalities. Brooks was apprehended nearby after crashing the SUV and knocking on a neighbor's door in search of a ride, as stated in the Sentinel.
Judge Jennifer Dorow of the Waukesha County Circuit Court permitted Brooks to represent himself. When Brooks appeared in court earlier this month, he took off his shirt in front of the judge, which was one instance of his bizarre court behavior. Judge Dorrow warned him at the time, "You have a right to present a defense, but your rights are not unfettered." Brooks later expressed regret for the stunt and other overreactions.
MEAWW reported earlier that Brooks was thrown off the courtroom on Thursday, October 6, after his repeated interruptions, outbursts, and a spat with Judge Jennifer Dorow. The 40-year-old's disturbing behavior caused him to be placed in a separate courtroom where he appeared to be shirtless during the live stream. He allegedly stuffed a laminated "objection" sign onto the waistband of his orange prison garb after the judge muted his mic so as to read his 77 charges without interruption.
Brooks, who was accused of killing six people between the ages of 8 and 81 and injuring more than 60 in the parade, appeared in the courtroom on Monday, October 10 with a calm attitude. Right before the witness testimony began, he apologized by admitting, "I wasn't raised that way." He then said, "I just want the court to understand it's very emotional right now, not only for just the whole situation of the trial, the families here that have to go through, you know, everything that's going to be involved with the trial. But also my family as well, myself, it's very, very emotional. But not to excuse my actions and I should carry myself with better respect. I wasn't raised that way. And I owe you, your honor, and the court an apology."