Darrell Brooks Convicted on Six Counts of Intentional Homicide

Darrell Brooks of Wisconsin was convicted Wednesday of killing six people after he drove into a crowd of people during a Christmas parade last year. His trial gained national attention as Brooks defended himself and displayed erratic and argumentative behavior towards the judge, prosecution, and jury.

On November 21, 2021, Brooks drove his red Ford Escape through a crowd at the Waukesha Christmas parade, killing six and injuring dozens of others. Some escaped with minor injuries, but others faced severe injuries which still impact them today. The ages of the victims ranged from 8-81.

Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper revealed Brooks drove into the crowd at approximately 30 miles an hour and “plowed through” 68 others.

Brooks previously plead not guilty by reason of mental insanity. In September, Brooks public defenders withdrew his plea. He swiftly fired his defense team and chose to represent himself. Over the course of the trial, Brooks struggled to mount a defense. He spent many hours “meandering during cross-examinations, refusing to recognize his own name, and refusing to recognize the court’s jurisdiction over him.”

Arguments between Brooks and Judge Jennifer Dorow became so frequent that she had Brooks moved to a neighboring courtroom to participate in the trial according to NPR. When he became argumentative, Judge Dorow could mute his microphone.

In total, the jury deliberated for only three hours and fifteen minutes. The jury found Brooks guilty on six charges of first-degree intentional homicide and faces a mandatory life sentence for each count. Alongside these charges, he was found guilty on 61 charges of recklessly endangering safety, six counts of hit-and-run causing death, two counts of felony bail jumping and one count of battery. Overall, he was charged and found guilty on 76 charges according to WISN.