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Tag Archive for: Judge Jennifer Dorow

Courts, Darrell Brooks Trial

A Path of Evil and Carnage: Darrell Brooks Sentenced to Six Life Sentences Plus 762 Years

On November 16, 2022, Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow sentenced Waukesha WI parade attacker Darrell E. Brooks, Jr. to serve six consecutive life sentences without the possibility of extended supervised release/parole. These six life sentences were for 1st-Degree Intentional Homicide of six people who were marching in the parade.

Judge Dorow also imposed an additional 762 years for multiple counts of Intentional Homicide with modifier – Use of a Dangerous Weapon, 6 counts of Hit and Run-Involve Death, 2 counts of Bail Jumping-Felony, and 1 count of Battery/Domestic Abuse.

At his sentencing hearing, Brooks delivered a long-winded, circuitous, rambling, and convoluted statement where he, for over two hours, professed his devotion to God and his love for his children whom he doesn’t live with nor support. He professed respect for Erika Patterson, a former girlfriend, and mother of one of his children, who he abused physically and mentally, including running her over with the same SUV he used in the parade attack. He’s currently standing trial for that charge among others in another Wisconsin jurisdiction.

He professed respect for the court (what a laugh this was since he quite often disrupted the proceedings and berated the judge, calling her a joke and accusing her of treason). He professed respect for two members of the prosecution team, but expressed clear disdain and that he had no respect for District Attorney Sue Opper. He said she “wasn’t that bright.”

When speaking of and directly to DA Opper regarding her role the trial, Brooks said,

Screenshot of Brooks making the “Am I angry” statement toward DA Sue Opper

Brooks continued with numerous excuses for and reasons why he’s a career criminal—a bad childhood when his mother worked two or three jobs. That they lived in poverty and their apartment was infested with insects and rodents and that live bugs were often found in their morning cereal. He mentioned growing up without a father, standing with his mother in the “welfare line” to receive milk and cheese, and that he’d been bullied and made fun of and experienced mental health troubles throughout his life.

He told the court he needed help for mental illness and would like to be sent somewhere where he could receive it in the form of medication. His implication was to be sent somewhere other than prison.

For the first time since the parade attack, Brooks did finally mange to squeak out an apology for what happened at the parade but not for the fact that he was responsible for it. It was not an apology to the victims for what he did to them.


Comments made by Darrell Brooks during sentencing statement.

“Not only am I sorry for what happened, I’m sorry that you could not see what’s truly in my heart.”

“I apologize for not showing people what they wanted to see.”

“I have to look at my life going forward. Not looking backward. I have to look at reality.”

“I’ve moved past the day of the actual tragedy of the day of November 21, 2021, but I have not moved past uplifting this community in prayer and will continue to until it’s my time to pass on.”

“To clarify, so there’s no misconception, none of us can go back and change what happened. We can’t. But that doesn’t mean that my life has to be defined by that. I’ve moved past the actual day.”

“Regardless of how anyone feels I will continue to pray for them.”

“This was not an attack. It was NOT an attack.”


Brooks cried when speaking about his daughter not being able to talk to him when she wants to do so. No mention, though, of the parents and sibling of the 8-year-old boy he ran down and killed. No words for the other people he murdered and their family members who would never again be able to talk to their husband, wives, grandmothers, sisters, and aunts. No mention of the dozens of people who suffered brain injuries, compound fractures, loss of and damage to body organs, weeks-long comas, PTSD, nightmares, were dragged through the street by his vehicle, slammed by the SUV and sent flying 30-feet trough the air, landing on the pavement or curb.

His “speech,” as always, was all about “ME, ME, ME.”

Brooks cried when speaking about his children not being able to see and speak to him when they wanted, but no mention of the families of the people he killed

Brooks went back to the mental health issue several times. However, after cutting off Brooks once he’d begun repeating himself multiple times in what was likely a classic Brooks move to stall the inescapable, Judge Dorow read aloud portions of reports written by four mental health experts who examined Brooks and his case. Each of the four stated that while Brooks had a personality disorder, in no way did he suffer from mental defect. He, they said, knew right from wrong and that he clearly knew what he was doing at the time of the attack. Mental illness was not a contributing factor in his violent behaviors.

Judge Jennifer Dorow speaking to Brooks

“There are many times, many times when good people do bad things, but there are times when evil people do bad things. Some people, unfortunately, choose a path of evil, and I think, Mr. Brooks, you are of those such persons. Frankly, Mr. Brooks, no one is safe from you. This community can only be safe if you are behind bars for the rest of your life,” Dorow said.

Judge Dorow then outlined all the reasons behind the sentences she was about to impose., which was …

COUNT 1: 1st-Degree Intentional Homicide

Total length of the sentence is LIFE IMPRISONMENT; 360 Days Sentence Credit; Defendant is not eligible for release to extended supervision. TOTAL RESTITUTION: $47,193.29 to EMC Insurance Company on behalf of the School District of Waukesha and $124,220.65 to the Crime Victim Compensation Program; COURT COSTS: $268; DNA SURCHARGE: $250.

COUNTS 2-6: 1st-Degree Intentional Homicide

Total length of the sentence is LIFE IMPRISONMENT; 0 Days Sentence Credit; Consecutive to Count 1 and each other; Defendant is not eligible for release to extended supervision. COURT COSTS: $268, per count; DNA SURCHARGE: $250, per count.

COUNTS 7-67: 1st-Degree Intentional Homicide with modifier Use of a Dangerous Weapon

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 17.5 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 0 Days) 12.5 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 5 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Consecutive to: To any other sentence and to each other; Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *No Contact with any victims listed in the Amended Victim Identification Key; *No Contact with Erika Patterson; COSTS: $268 per count; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250 per count.

COUNT 68: Hit and Run-Involve Death

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 25 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 360 Days) 15 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 10 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Concurrent to Count 1: Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *No Contact with any victims listed in the Amended Victim Identification Key; *No Contact with Erika Patterson; COSTS: $268; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250.

COUNT 69: Hit and Run-Involve Death

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 25 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 0 Days) 15 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 10 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Concurrent to Count 2: Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *Same as Count 68; COSTS: $268; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250.

COUNT 70: Hit and Run-Involve Death

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 25 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 0 Days) 15 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 10 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Concurrent to Count 3: Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *Same as Count 68; COSTS: $268; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250.

COUNT 71: Hit and Run-Involve Death

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 25 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 0 Days) 15 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 10 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Concurrent to Count 4: Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *Same as Count 68; COSTS: $268; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250.

COUNT 72: Hit and Run-Involve Death

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 25 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 0 Days) 15 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 10 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Concurrent to Count 5: Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *Same as Count 68; COSTS: $268; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250.

COUNT 73: Hit and Run-Involve Death

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 25 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 0 Days) 15 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 10 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Concurrent to Count 6; Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *Same as Count 68; COSTS: $268; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250.

COUNTS 74-75: Bail Jumping-Felony

IMPOSED SENTENCE OF: 6 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT (Credit: 0 Days) 3 YEARS OF INITIAL CONFINEMENT 3 YEARS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION Consecutive to all other counts, but concurrent to each other; Defendant is not eligible for Challenge Incarceration Program. Defendant is not eligible for Substance Abuse Program. CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION: *No Contact with any victims, or their families, listed in the Amended Victim Identification Key; *No Contact with Erika Patterson; COSTS: $268 per count; DNA SAMPLE AND SURCHARGE: $250 per count.

*COUNT 76: Battery/Domestic Abuse 

JAIL: 9 Months; 0 Days Credit. Consecutive to any other sentence; Costs: $243; DV Surcharge: $100; DNA Sample and Surcharge: $200.

*Restitution to be paid before Costs/Surcharges/Fees. Restitution/Costs/Surcharges and Fees to be collected from prison monies pursuant to statutory provisions.

*Court finds an order for an escrow account is appropriate under 949.165 for payment of restitution and court costs/fees/surcharges, and even for costs associated with prior or future legal representation, etc. under the statute.

Body Armor, Felony warnings, voting rights, and firearms warnings given. (Judge Dorow informed Brooks that as a convicted felon he is not permitted to possess body armor or firearms, and may not vote unless his voting rights are restored).

Clerk provided the Defendant with Notice of Right to Pursue Postconviction Relief with the case number filled in, as well as the Voter Ineligibility Notice and Acknowledgment.

*COUNT 76: Battery/Domestic Abuse – Brooks assaulted/battered his girlfriend Erika Patterson.

November 17, 2022/by Lee Lofland
https://leelofland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/654.jpg 533 800 Lee Lofland https://leelofland.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/the-graveyard-shift-1.png Lee Lofland2022-11-17 17:06:332022-11-17 22:36:38A Path of Evil and Carnage: Darrell Brooks Sentenced to Six Life Sentences Plus 762 Years
Darrell Brooks Trial

Darrell Brooks Found Guilty of Intentional Homicide, and More: Sentencing Hearings Begin Tomorrow

Darrell E. Brooks, Jr., the man who drove his mother’s red Ford Escape SUV through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, WI, killing 6 people and injuring 61 others, was found guilty, by jury, of each of the 76 charges he faced as a result of the horrific attack.

After a three-week-long intense trial marred by Brooks’ near constant disorder, repeated interruptions, disrespect, distractions, and outlandish behavior, it took the 12-person jury less than three hours of deliberations to reach the guilty verdicts.

On October 26, 2022, Judge Jennifer Dorow began to read aloud the guilty verdicts, a thick stack of blue papers, one for each count. When the judge started to speak, Brooks, who represented himself in the case, was, for the first time, no longer the boisterous, unruly, obnoxious, and argumentative defendant who’d interrupted and attempted to delay the proceedings at every turn.

He must’ve sensed what was coming his way, knowing the evidence against him was enormously overwhelming—thousands of eyewitnesses, the incident, including the deaths and injuries, was captured on video and in still photographs and audio, DNA evidence confirmed his identity and placed him in the vehicle as did numerous people who identified him as the driver, and much, much more.

In lieu of his typically disruptive, loud, and bizarre demeanor, Brooks sat still and quiet, looking at the judge as she read the first, first degree intentional homicide verdict. His face was no longer animated with sneers, eye-rolls, frowns, and that out-of-place and insensitive cocky grin that sometimes split his lips when questioning some witnesses/victims and berating the judge. Instead, his features appeared as deflated, almost as if the street-hard persona was melting away, morphing into an expression associated with a sense of foreboding and impending doom and gloom. The wind was no longer in his sails.

As Judge Dorow read the second guilty verdict, Brooks bowed his head.

At the conclusion of reading the 2nd verdict, a family member of one of the victims killed by Brooks shouted, ““Burn in hell you piece a sh**,” The judge had the man removed from the courtroom and then continued with the business at hand. From that point forward, other than Judge Dorow’s voice and the occasional sounds of people crying in the gallery, the courtroom was practically soundless.

Near the end of the reading of the guilty verdict of count six of first degree intentional homicide (each count carries a mandatory life sentence), Brooks clasped hands and used them to rest his head. He continued to sit this way throughout the 20 minutes it took Judge Dorow announce the remaining verdicts, all of which were guilty.

Brooks didn’t interrupt the judge, something he’d done relentlessly throughout the trial.

At the conclusion of the reading of the guilty verdicts, Judge Dorow asked Brooks if he’d like her to poll the jury. He said yes.

Judge Dorow then had each jury member stand as she called their numbers, one at a time. She asked each juror the same question, “The verdicts read in open court, are those your true verdicts?” Each one confirmed their guilty verdicts.

While the jury members responded to the polling, Brooks raised his head slightly and looked toward them as they responded to the judge’s question.

When the polling was complete, Judge Dorow asked Brooks if was satisfied with the polling of the jury. He again lowered his head against his clasped hands and softly said,” No.”

Judge Dorow, apparently unable to hear Brooks’ response, said, “I’m sorry?”

Brooks, in a slightly more audible tone, again said, No.”

The judge immediately said, “The Court is satisfied with the polling of the jurors. The court now accepts the verdicts.” She then thanked the jury for their service and released them. And with that, Darrell E. Brooks, Jr. stood convicted of 6 counts of first-degree intentional homicide, with use of a dangerous weapon, 61 counts of recklessly endangering safety, with use of a dangerous weapon, 6 counts of hit and run, and two counts of bail jumping.

Judge Dorrow scheduled the sentencing for Brooks on November 15 and 16, which begins tomorrow with oral victim impact statements from 45 people, including 9 children under the age of 18. Brooks submitted a list of 9 people to speak on his behalf. His list includes his mother Dawn Woods, and his grandmother, Mary Darlene Edwards. Both are expected to provide their statements via Zoom.

Inmate Correspondence Form (ICF) to the court stating the 9 people who’re to speak on Brooks’ behalf at the sentencing hearing

Brooks will have 20 days after his sentencing to file a notice to appeal. He has indicated that he will do so.

Those killed by Brooks in the November 2021 parade attack were:

  • Virginia Sorenson, 79 years old
  • LeAnna Owen, 71 years old
  • Tamara Durand, 52 years old
  • Jane Kulich, 52 years old
  • Wilhelm Hospel, 81 years old
  • Jackson Sparks, 8 years old

The sentencing hearsing and victim impact statements will be available to watch live, on various social media and news sites, including Facebook, WISN News, YouTube, Court TV, and more. The hearing is scheduled as follows:

 

 

 

Of course, a quick Google search will provide more links and sites. If interested, you may also search for “Darrell Brooks Trial” to view the trial and recaps, as well as many videos of Brooks’ outlandish behavior.

Click here to view the Court’s official full case summary, all charges, citations, and court records/transcriptions for each day of trial.

*Note – the Court record is fantastic information for writers.


Brooks is scheduled for trial next week for other violent crimes in a different Wisconsin county.

His criminal history is extensive.

September 1999, Milwaukee County
Substantial battery/intentionally causing bodily harm, as party to a crime
RESOLUTION: Guilty/no contest in December 1999
SENTENCE: Two years in prison – which was stayed, three years’ probation, six months in the House of Correction


February 2002, Milwaukee County
Possession of THC, second-plus offense
RESOLUTION: Guilty/no contest in May 2002
SENTENCE: 50 days in the House of Correction with work release, license suspended for six months


January 2003, Milwaukee County
Resisting/obstructing an officer
RESOLUTION: Guilty/no contest in February 2003
SENTENCE: 20 days in the House of Correction

In 2005, in Reno, Nevada, he was charged with statutory sexual seduction and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he impregnated a 15-year-old girl. He claims the girl told him she was 18. Brooks pled guilty and was required to register as a sex offender.


February 2010, Wood County
Strangulation/suffocation (with previous conviction), battery, criminal damage to property
RESOLUTION: Guilty to strangulation charge in April 2010
SENTENCE: Three years’ probation – which was stayed, 90 days’ jail time with work release


March 2011, Milwaukee County
Resisting or obstructing an officer
RESOLUTION: Guilty in May 2012
SENTENCE: 37 days in the House of Correction with work release


November 2011, Milwaukee County
Possession of THC, second-plus offense
RESOLUTION: Guilty in March 2012
SENTENCE: 180 days in the House of Correction with work release


December 2011, Milwaukee County
Possession of THC, misdemeanor bail jumping
RESOLUTION: Guilty in March 2012
SENTENCE: 180 days in the House of Correction with work release


July 24, 2020

Two counts of second-degree recklessly endangering someone else’s safety and another count of possessing a gun despite being convicted of a felony

RESOLUTION: PENDING

In this case, Milwaukee police officers responded to a home where a woman, either Brooks’ mother or grandmother, told them that Darrell Brooks had gotten into fight with his nephew and fired a shot at or near him.


2021, Milwaukee, WI

Second-degree reckless endangerment, battery and disorderly conduct

Just weeks before the Waukesha Christmas parade, Brooks was accused of domestic abuse when he used his vehicle as a weapon. This was the same red Ford Escape he used in the Waukesha parade attack. A 31-year-old woman who had a child with Brooks, the woman who was impregnated by Brooks when she was 15, told police that he came to her motel in Milwaukee on Nov. 2, where he yelled at her and took her phone. The woman we now know as Erika Patterson, then walked toward a gas station and Brooks followed her and told her to get inside his SUV. When she refused Brooks struck her in the face with his fist.

When Patterson turned and walked away, Brooks struck and ran her over with his vehicle, according to the complaint. Officers reported observing what appeared to be dry blood on her face, a swollen lip and “tire tracks on her left pants leg.”

Police subsequently went to Brooks’ residence and saw him getting out of the red Ford Escape. He ignored police commands to stop and ran into the home where he was arrested.

Brooks was booked into the Milwaukee County Jail on Nov. 3 and released on Nov. 16, after paying a mere $1,000 cash bail set by a judge. His release came just four or five days before he again assaulted Erika Patterson and then minutes later  he drove his vehicle through the parade.

The office of John Chisholm, the Milwaukee County district attorney, released a statement about the bail $1,000 bail saying, “the bail amount was inappropriately low in light of the nature of the recent charges and the pending charges against Mr. Brooks.”


Had the violent career criminal, Darrell Brooks, been held in jail on a higher bond amount, the lives of six people would have been saved, and dozens wouldn’t have been injured, physically and mentally. Instead, victims and their families will relive the horror of “that day”when the painful 1st year anniversary of the parade attack occurs on November 21, 2022, a few days after Brooks is sentenced.

#waukeshastrong

November 14, 2022/by Lee Lofland
https://leelofland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-14-at-2.03.28-PM.png 550 592 Lee Lofland https://leelofland.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/the-graveyard-shift-1.png Lee Lofland2022-11-14 14:32:032022-11-14 14:32:03Darrell Brooks Found Guilty of Intentional Homicide, and More: Sentencing Hearings Begin Tomorrow
Darrell Brooks Trial

Accused Murderer Darrell Brooks: He Who Represents Himself Has a Fool for a Client

Abraham Lincoln certainly hit the nail on the head when he said, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” This clever statement absolutely rings true in the circus that’s playing out in a Waukesha, Wis. courtroom, where defendant Darrell Brooks ( MathBoi Fly is his rapper name) is defending himself in a murder trial that includes six counts of first-degree intentional homicide.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this case, Darrell Brooks is on trial for driving a red Ford Escape SUV through the November 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade, striking and killing six parade marchers, and additionally injuring over 5 dozen parade participants and spectators.

Many of the survivors were seriously injured and required multiple surgeries. Some are scarred for life, physically and/or mentally. One young boy received a compound fracture of the leg and was bleeding severely when a quick thinking police officer applied a tourniquet. His actions saved the boy’s life.

Numerous videos captured the speeding vehicle driven by Brooks as it approached victims from behind while swerving from one side of the street to the other, mowing people down and sending some victims cartwheeling through the air. One landed on the hood of Brooks’ SUV horrifying spectators as they saw the vehicle pass. The body eventually fell to the pavement.

One surviving victim testified that he was thrown 30-feet. Witnesses observed parade marchers struck and run over with the vehicle moving up and down in a motion as if it were passing over numerous speed bumps. However, those obstacles were the bodies of humans that Brooks hit and knocked to the roadway and then continuing to move through the slow-moving parade route at speeds averaging 32mph in a street filled with slow-moving marching bands, floats, and those who walked with various organizations.


Brooks drove his SUV through a marching band

Brooks drove his SUV through a marching band, striking 10 members from behind


Both sides of the street were heavily occupied by adults, and children who were waiting to gather candy tossed to them by parade participants. Several of those young children were struck and injured. Witnesses described seeing the vehicle striking people who fell and then disappeared beneath the front bumper and were then next seen at the rear of the SUV, almost as if the Ford Escape had swallowed victims and then expelled them from behind as it continued on its path forward. Brooks did not stop his vehicle, not once, to check on anyone he’d hit. Instead, he often accelerated after injuring or killing someone.

Those killed during this shocking incident include:

  • Eight-year-old Jackson Sparks who underwent brain surgery after he was hit but died a couple of days later from his injuries. Jackson’s 12-year-old brother, Tucker, survived but received and was treated for a fractured skull.
  • Tamara Durand, 52, a teacher and a chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, was marching with the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies when she was struck and killed.
  • Virginia “Ginny” Sorenson, 79, also a member of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, was struck and killed. Fellow Dancing Granny Sharon Millard told the New York Post, “No one ever saw him coming. He was going so fast. All I knew is I saw Ginny fly up in the air and land in front of me. I saw her curled up and blood was coming out of her like a river. I was standing in blood.”
  • Wilhelm Hospel, 81, was struck and killed while walking beside the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies as support for his wife Lola.
  • Leanna “Lee” Owen, 71, a Milwaukee Dancing Granny, was struck and killed while marching in the parade with her group.
  • Jane Kulich, 52, marched with a Citizens Bank float when she was struck and killed.

Darrell Brooks is clearly seen in many videos and still photos as the driver of the red SUV, a vehicle owned by his mother Dawn Woods. His ID and bank cards were located in the later abandoned and severely damaged SUV.


Brooks as he drove through the band, striking 10 members

 


Darrell Brooks as sen on the day of the parade, with thick facial hair and long dreadlocks


In addition to visual identification by multiple witnesses, including police officers at the scene as it unfolded, Brooks’ DNA was recovered from the steering wheel and gear shift, as well as clothing found within the SUV used in the attack.

A self-made rap video posted to Brooks’ Facebook page features Brooks performing in front of the same red SUV. The license plate can be seen in the video. It’s the same license plate that was on the vehicle on the day of the parade.



Erika Patterson, Brooks’ former girlfriend and the mother of one of his children, testified that she was in the very same SUV, with Brooks, prior to the parade. She stated they’d argued, he struck her with his hand(s), and then drove away angry. Minutes later an angry Brooks entered the parade route and began the carnage.

A day or so earlier, Brooks, in a fit of anger, hit his former girlfriend with the same red SUV and then ran over her legs. He was furious because Patterson wouldn’t give him money.


“He (Brooks) impregnated Erika Patterson when she was a minor in Nevada. In for doing so, he was convicted of statutory sexual seduction, plead guilty in March of 2007 to that felony offense and is a sex offender, on the registry,” Assistant District Attorney Zach Wittchow told Judge Jennifer Dororw.

The amount of rock-solid evidence in this case is overwhelming. In fact, in all my years I’ve not seen better police work and presentation by prosecutors. They’ve left no stone unturned and have shown in detail, either by video, still photo, and/or witnesses statement, nearly every movement Brooks made the day of the parade. They have the times he did things, what he did, what he said to people, where he walked and ran as he fled the driveway where he abandoned the SUV, his arrest where he identified himself as Darrell Brooks (he now claims he does not “identify by that name), and much, much more.


Darrell Brooks abandoned the red SUV

Darrell Brooks abandoned the heavily damaged red SUV after striking and killing six people and injuring dozens more. The damage seen was caused by crashing into human bodies.


There is video and still photo evidence clearly and without any doubt showing Brooks driving the vehicle through the parade, striking people and the aftermath, fleeing the scene in the vehicle, with Erika Patterson, leaving the driveway where he abandoned the SUV, eyewitnesses who saw and spoke with him, surveillance video of him running through streets and parking lots as he fled, pieces of clothing stuck on and found in  the SUV that were worn by people he’d struck, and much more, including articles of his clothing he discarded as he ran away. Again, the sheer amount of evidence is astounding.

Brooks is originally charged with:

  • Six counts of first-degree intentional homicide – use of a dangerous weapon
  • Six counts of hit-and-run involving death
  • 61 counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety – use of a dangerous weapon
  • Two counts of bail jumping
  • Two counts of battery – domestic abuse

Early on in the court process two attorneys, Jeremy Perri and Anna Kees, were appointed to defend Brooks who first entered a special plea of not guilty by insanity. But in a September pre-trial hearing he withdrew it and the plea change was accepted by the court.

In September 2022, less than two weeks before the scheduled start of the trial, the two attorneys filed a motion to withdraw, telling the court Brooks desired to represent himself. He’d fired his lawyers.

To establish Brooks’ competence to represent himself, Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow reviewed the evaluations four psychologists conducted of Brooks and agreed with their findings that while he has a personality disorder and is disruptive, he is intelligent and articulate enough to defend himself. Then, in two hearings on the matter, Judge Dorow questioned Brooks as to whether he understood the charges he faced and the penalties associated with them. In addition, District Attorney Sue Opper noted that her office reviewed ten previous Wisconsin cases against Brooks and they “could not find, on any occasion, where competency was ever raised.” At the conclusion of the hearings Judge Dorow ruled that Brooks was competent to represent himself.

When the trial began earlier this month (October, 2022) it instantly became obvious that Brooks had made a poor decision. His disruptive, disrespectful, unruly, obnoxious, threatening, argumentative, confusing, and often childish behavior in the courtroom is unprecedented and has done him no favors. At times he’s coherent, though, and while not schooled in the law, he sometimes made a few valid objections and arguments. Most of the time, though, his rants are delivered while yelling at or arguing with the judge when he didn’t agree with a ruling.

He questions the judge’s authority multiple times each day. When he doesn’t get his way about an issue he begins bizarre loud diatribes complete with arm waving and angry facial gestures that include tense lip pursing, eye rolls, sneers, and frowns. He sighs loudly and mutters under his breath but loud enough for jurors to hear his out-of-line commentary and unjust criticisms of the court, witnesses, prosectors, bailiffs, jail staff, the overall legal system, and more.

In one instance he pounded the table and then engaged in a stare-down directed at Judge Dorow, who called Brooks on his bizarre antics and stated for the record that his actions “scared her.” She then called a recess to defuse the situation.


An angry Darrell Brooks stares down Judge Jennifer Dorow

An angry Darrell Brooks stares down Judge Jennifer Dorow


Judge Dorow has shown and extraordinary amount of patience when dealing with Darrell Brooks, a man with a long history of violent behavior, a history that has repeated itself nearly every single hour of this trial.

The prosecution rested their case last week and then Brooks began calling witnesses for the defense. Interestingly, each of those witness’s testimony added more evidence that Brooks committed the crimes for which he stands trial. Today, Brooks planned to wrap up his defense this morning by calling his mother to the stand, a move he hoped will impeach the testimony of the lead detective in the case. However, his mother did not show up to testify which likely added fuel to his fiery outbursts. He then refused to call witnesses and became extremely confrontational, and even more angry and disruptive than usual. He was removed from the main courtroom and appeared by video from alternate courtroom to allow the judge to mute him so his outbursts did not interrupt the proceedings. Today he was at his worst.

He refused to answer repeated questions regarding if he planned to testify in his own behalf, or not. Instead of responding to those questions he constantly interrupted and disrupted the proceeding.

As a result of Brooks refusing to respond to any and all questions, the judge ruled that, due to his lack of cooperation, the evidentiary portion of the trial be closed. With that she sent the jury home for the day while the court, prosecutors, and Brooks, if he was willing, began the process of reviewing and editing jury instructions. Of course, in true Darrell Brooks fashion, he ignored the process by stacking the banker boxes containing his files in front of his monitor to prevent being seen and to prevent him from seeing the judge and courtroom. However, the judge ordered bailiffs to remove the boxes so she could see the defendant.



A bailiff handed jury instructions and verdict forms to Brooks to allow him to review them in order to offer objections and edits, but he immediately tossed those into a trashcan beneath his table. Meanwhile, he’d been angrily screaming and yelling so loudly that he can be heard through the walls separating the two courtrooms.

Brooks tried a new tactic this afternoon, claiming he couldn’t hear because the audio wasn’t working in the courtroom where he was located to prevent his constant disruptions and abuse. So Judge Dorow had both the bailiff in that room and the court’s IT person sworn in and testify. The bailiff stated the audio was loud and clear. The IT person also stated the audio (and video) was working properly. He went a step further by measuring the decibel level of the audio output, which was much louder than audio projected to other rooms, including the area designated for the media covering the trial.

Sovereign Citizen Defense

Since the beginning of the trial, and throughout, Darrell Brooks has attempted to use a sovereign citizen defense. When someone refers to him by name (Darrell Brooks) Brooks objects for the record that he does not consent to being called “that name” (Darrell Brooks). Judge Dorow has responded more than once that it goes towards his sovereign beliefs, which are not relevant to this trial.

Brooks demands that the court prove “subject matter of jurisdiction,” a typical sovereign demand. Judge Dorow has denied this objection NUMEROUS times. But he’s like a broken record. “I have not been provided proof of subject matter jurisdiction,” Brooks says over and over again. Judge Dorow explained to Brooks that “sovereign citizen” arguments have been debunked throughout history in both state and federal courts.

Sovereign citizens are categorized by the FBI as  “anti-government extremists who believe that even though they physically reside in this country, they are separate or “sovereign” from the United States. As a result, they believe they don’t have to answer to any government authority, including courts, taxing entities, motor vehicle departments, or law enforcement.”

People who identify as sovereign citizens are often argumentative, confrontational, and belligerent toward law enforcement and the courts. They argue that neither the police or courts have authority over them. For example, when stopped for a traffic infraction they regularly claim they are not driving but are instead “traveling.” Therefore, it is their inaccurate conclusion that traffic/driving laws do not apply to them, including the need for a driver’s license and vehicle registration. When police then proceed with the traffic stop, ignoring the sovereign arguments, the sovereign drivers become irate and often violent. It’s not uncommon to have to forcibly remove from their vehicles. Many times they attempt to flee the scene. Officers are frequently attacked.

Sovereign citizen encounters can be extremely violent and dangerous for law enforcement. For example, sovereign citizens Jerry Kane and his son Joseph were stopped by police for a traffic infraction. As the two officers approached the vehicle from the rear, the son opened fire with a rifle, killing both officers. The pair were later killed by police during a shootout where the pair of murderers wounded a local sheriff and his chief deputy.

So yes, the defendant in this trial, Darrell Brooks, has exhibited behavior that’s bizarre, unique, outlandish, belligerent, disrespectful to the court and to witnesses and victims, narcissistic, psychopathic, controlling, and, well, you name an adjective and it probably fits Brooks and the outrageous spectacle he created in the courtroom. He even removed his shirt during the trial, covered his head with his jacket, slammed his fists on the table, and most days read a Bible during the trial and questioning, and later stated to the judge that, “Some people live by the Bible.” That’s not a direct quote, but close.

Judge Dorow has shown an abundance of restraint during the trial, more than anyone’s fair share. Brooks has been THE nightmare defendant, but the judge likely endured Brooks’ antics to prevent a mistrial and/or arguments for appeal. She deserves a long vacation when this trial is over, for sure.

Today she sent Brooks to the alternate courtroom which allowed her a generous and ample use of the mute button, a luxury that enabled the court to get through important matters before presenting instructions to the jury tomorrow morning.



Each day of the trial is available as a recording or live on YouTube. It’s also available on Facebook. Sure, it’s frustrating to sit through Brooks’ shenanigans, but the case presented by the prosecution is worth the effort. It’s also a good study of a criminal’s way of thinking, mannerisms, interactions with others, personality, etc. It’s great for fictional character building and layering. The same is true for a first-hand study of the witnesses, attorneys, judges, and law enforcement involved in this case.

Court begins tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. EST (8:30 in Wisconsin).

October 24, 2022/by Lee Lofland
https://leelofland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/feature.jpg 533 800 Lee Lofland https://leelofland.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/the-graveyard-shift-1.png Lee Lofland2022-10-24 18:06:252022-10-25 07:56:48Accused Murderer Darrell Brooks: He Who Represents Himself Has a Fool for a Client

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