WAUKESHA, WI (WSAU) — A jury in Waukesha County has found Darrell Brooks guilty of all 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 Dorrow read each count into the record individually beginning with the six 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.
Other charges included more than 60 counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and six chouts of hit-and-run causing death. Most counts also had a modifier for use of a dangerous weapon.
He was also found guilty of two counts of bail jumping.
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 Dorrow. 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.
Both sides will return to court on Monday, October 31st to set a sentencing date. Brooks faces a mandatory life sentence for the charges of first-degree homicide alone.
The Waukesha County District Attorney has scheduled a news conference for 1 PM Wednesday at the courthouse to address the case. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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