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John Chisholm: Meet the Milwaukee DA who released felon Darrell Brooks on $1000 bail

Darrell Brooks has a long criminal record and history of conviction in various felony charges, since 1999

Wisconsin natives, as well as internet users from across the USA, are lashing out at Milwaukee County District Attorney John T Chisholm, for reportedly releasing Darrell E. Brooks at an 'inappropriately low' bond amount. Brooks, who is currently in police custody, happens to be the main suspect in the Waukesha Christmas parade incident which killed 5 people and injured 40 more. He was released just two days before he sped through the parade in his red SUV, knocking down elderly women, children, and the local residents on November 21, 2021. 

Brooks has a long criminal record and history of conviction in various felony charges. He has been convicted on a number of criminal charges since 1999 including drug possession, obstructing an officer, and battery. He also has several open felony charges filed against him on November 5, 2021. He was charged in Milwaukee courts for resisting an officer (misdemeanor), felony bail jumping, second-degree recklessly endangering safety (felony) with domestic abuse assessments, disorderly conduct, and battery (both misdemeanors, also with domestic abuse assessments.) On November 19, he posted a bail of $1000 in cash. 

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Following the Waukesha tragedy, the Milwaukee District Attorney's Office admitted that it was inappropriate on their part to allow Brooks to get out of the jail on a $1,000 bond. He was reportedly arrested for trying to run over his ex-girlfriend with a car, who also happened to be the mother of his child. The incident happened on November 2, 2021 at a gas station. He posted his bond on November 11 and was released on November 19. 

On November 22, John T. Chisholm released a statement detailing the criminal cases against Darrell Brooks. He further added that his office has launched an internal review as to why he was released on bond despite committing such serious crimes. Following the Waukesha incident, he was arrested and charged with five counts of murder. 

"The bail recommendation in this case is not consistent with the approach of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office toward matters involving violent crime, nor was it consistent with the risk assessment of the defendant prior to setting of bail. This office is currently conducting an internal review of the decision to make the recent bail recommendation in this matter in order to determine the appropriate next steps," read the statement.

John T Chisholm and his office handles the criminal cases for State of Wisconsin in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. He is an Army veteran and Democrat who is the current chair of Washington DC-based Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. In the past, the University of Wisconsin Law graduate had chaired the Milwaukee County Community Justice Council. 

Chisholm has garnered apathy among the local residents in recent months for his ideas about criminal justice reforms. Aiming to reduce the prison population in his county, Chisholm had advocated that his state should also follow San Franciso's bail reform pattern and abolish cash bond on minor crimes. In fact, the Google Review section of his office is filled with negative reviews where citizens have criticized their tendency of letting criminals go with minimal punishment. 

"The DA that set the guy who plowed into Christmas parade free, just days before he did this, is none other than John T. Chisholm...a Democrat who has a track record of his office releasing prolific offenders, as well as not filing charges against them?" a user tweeted. 

"It’s clear giving Milwaukee judges and DAs — like John Chisholm — broad discretion to set bail isn’t the right answer. We must take a hard look at bail and bond for repeat offenders for the safety of Wisconsin families," Senator Julian Bradley. 

A third user said, "On the streets yesterday, thanks to Soros-affiliated, Milwaukee DA, John Chisholm who recently bragged about abolishing bail. If we had a valid media, Chisholm would be pressed relentlessly today about his decision and policy. Don’t hold your breath."