WAUKESHA, WI (WSAU) — A jury in Waukesha County has found Darrell Brooks guilty of numerous charges associated with last November’s Christmas Parade attack, including the most serious counts of first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon.
Judge Jennifer Darrow read each count into the record individually beginning with the charges for first-degree homicide. She was briefly interrupted by an outburst from someone in the gallery who shouted an obscenity that seemed to be directed at Brooks.
Brooks was facing numerous counts of disorderly conduct in addition to six counts of first-degree homicide hit-and-run causing death. The bulk of the charges against him involve first-degree recklessly endangering safety.
A total of 83 charges were filed against him. The list was trimmed to 76 before the trial began when some counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle were dismissed
Prosecutors noted that they could have filed thousands of counts against him for the incident. They limited their list to named victims who were injured or otherwise impacted by the event.
Brooks chose to defend himself during the trial after firing his attorney the week before the proceedings began. The trial was marked by numerous interruptions by Brooks which caused him to be removed from the courtroom. There were also several moments of tension between brooks and Judge Jennifer Darrow. Brooks also made several objections before the verdict was read, but they were all overruled.
The jury had the case by 7 PM Tuesday. Deliberations took roughly 3 hours.
A sentencing date was not immediately set. Brooks faces a mandatory life sentence for the charges of first-degree homicide alone.
The Waukesha County District Attorney has scheduled a new conference for 1 PM Wednesday at the courthouse to address the case. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
