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'I am not a monster': Darrell Brooks' final statement ahead of sentencing in Waukesha parade attack

Before being sentenced, Darrell Brooks spoke at length and appeared 'un-apologetic,' claiming that ramming the SUV into the parade was 'not an attack'

WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN: Darrell Brooks is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, November 16 for driving his SUV into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin on November, 2021, killing six people and injuring dozens more. Brooks was found guilty of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide. Several of his victims faced Brooks on Tuesday, November 15 and made vehement, emotional speeches.

On Wednesday as the proceedings resumed, several speakers on Brooks behalf, beginning with Brooks' mother Dawn Brooks, addressed in Waukesha County court over Zoom before Judge Jennifer Dorow's sentencing. Brooks said before the jury, "Jail is not the only solution. If it had been offered sooner, help, treatment, hospitalization, and medicine would have played a significant role in averting this, where we are now." "I want to offer my sincere apologies to those wounded. My expectation is that my grandson would repent and seek God's pardon," said Brooks' grandmother, Mary Edwards, FOX6 reported.

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Before being sentenced, Brooks spoke at length and appeared "un-apologetic," claiming that ramming the SUV into the parade was "not an attack." In addition, he disputed the incident's police narrative, and referred to himself as a human being rather than a monster, and said he had no fear of dying. "I am a million percent confident where I am going when this is all over, regardless of what anyone thinks or says...Nobody is better than the next person, contrary to the belief I do not feel I am above anyone, I don't feel I am superior to anyone...I am a human being. I am not a monster," Brooks said.

"This was not an attack. This was not an intentional act," Brooks said as he turned toward his left probaby at the Judges, and went on saying, "...I chose to take the high road." Brooks talked on being "patient" and not letting his "frustration out" during the trials and as the victims and prosecutors spoke on Tuesday. "Am I angry? Hell yeah, hell yeah, so what? When it boils down the whole prosecution team had a job to do. I can't be mad at someone doing their job... I respect you guys regardless of what you may feel about me.I really do," he said. 

Referring to his mental condition, Brooks said, "The part of me that that doesn't understand the way it goes and why it goes...," seemingly pointing to District Attorney Sue Opper, who earlier detailed Brooks's past offenses. He said, "How did you have the audacity to speak on the situations that had nothing to do with this tragedy?" as if you were there, as if you had intimate details as if you knew everything that led up to these allegations. Just by reading the police report. I think every situation is unique in its own way, it has different circumstances that lead to ultimately what ends up happening. Reading the police report dosen't give you the right to pass the judgement on the situation; that's none of your concern."

As Brooks spoke, Twitter users vented their anger as he made unapologetic remarks. "'I'm a human being, I'm not a monster.' No. You are a monster. You are no human. You are a corrupt spill of scum on the floor, a creature of darkness. Unless you repent, you will remain a monster in torment for eternity," one Twitter user wrote. "He is still talking!! I went to lunch, came back, read and responded to 7 emails and he’s still rambling. This is exhausting. We gon be here all day waiting for Judge Dorow to sentence him," another wrote. The outrageous remarks didn't go well with the audiences, as some wrote, "'Nobody is better than the next person.' Nah fam, I'm better than you. I've never driven my car through people hurting and killing. I'm way better than you and always will be." "Darrell Brooks, you ARE a monster. And a coward. And a pos waste of oxygen," one said.

After Brooks had finished speaking, Judge Dorow started to review the case facts and tried to allay some of the questions Brooks had raised. Brooks then interrupted the court as Dorow spoke about Brooks' wife and her testimony, including the violence she had experienced and the character Brooks possessed. She also mentioned Attorney Opper's investigations as being legitimate and legal. At this moment Brooks began to get annoyed and interrupted the judge. The judge then ordered that he be removed after he repeatedly interrupted her and said, "I don't need any case law." Brooks was present in the other courtroom as the judge resumed the proceedings to announce the sentence. 

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