Darrell Brooks trial: Defense rested by default, judge says; jurors dismissed for day - FOX 6 Milwaukee

By FOX6 News Digital Team

WAUKESHA, Wis. - After galore interruptions successful the greeting proceedings, Judge Jennifer Dorow proceeded to archer the assembled assemblage that Darrell Brooks' defence has rested successful the Waukesha Christmas parade trial. 

To commencement Monday, Judge Jennifer Dorow asked Brooks if helium was going to person much witnesses testify. He indicated, "maybe tomorrow." The justice indicated the lone witnesser she thought mightiness beryllium disposable would beryllium Brooks' mother, Dawn Woods. 

Brooks besides indicated to the tribunal that determination is simply a people enactment suit regarding the Ford Escape. He talked astir a "malfunctioning throttle body" connected the SUV. Brooks was seeking support to callback an inspector who antecedently testified successful the lawsuit – truthful helium could perchance code this issue. Judge Dorow denied the request, stating the petition was not timely. Brooks argued his parent provided him the callback accusation astir the SUV – due to the fact that the conveyance is registered nether her name. But again, the justice denied the petition – and said it was speculative that this contented was a origin successful what happened astatine the Waukesha Christmas parade. 

Brooks continued to property the justice for reasons wherefore his petition was being denied. The back-and-forth betwixt Brooks and the justice went connected for a mates of minutes – and past Judge Dorow nonstop Brooks to the adjacent courtroom – and enactment the tribunal successful recess. 

When tribunal returned, Brooks interrupted the justice aggregate times erstwhile again. At that point, she stated Brooks forfeited his close to telephone immoderate different witnesses. 

Judge Dorow past began advising Brooks that helium has the close to attest successful his ain defense, but if helium does, helium would beryllium cross-examined by the prosecution team. The justice noted Brooks has a publication successful from of him during this exchange. Through each of this, Brooks offered nary response. The justice said she believed Brooks was "feigning his quality to hear."

When Judge Dorow asked Brooks if helium wanted to testify, determination was nary response. 

"It is precise wide to this court. It's a means to a delay. It's a distraction," Dorow said.

Judge Dorow past stated Brooks is perchance forfeiting his close to attest connected his ain behalf. Brooks was going to beryllium fixed 1 much accidental to respond to the judge's questions. If helium fails to reply her questions, by his actions alone, the justice said the forfeiture would happen. 

Brooks told the judge, "I don't perceive anything. I didn't perceive you inquire maine anything."

Judge Dorow past took enactment to get the assemblage into the court. She indicated to the jurors that the defence lawsuit is rested. 

Following the dismissal of the court, Judge Jennifer Dorow enactment the tribunal into recess for astir 10 minutes. When tribunal returned, the justice brought a sheriff's lawman and the Waukesha County tribunal IT coordinator to the witnesser stand. This was an effort to enactment connected the grounds that Brooks had a bully transportation to audio and video successful the adjacent courtroom. 

Brooks challenged the IT director, asking astir however the strategy works for radical with proceeding nonaccomplishment – due to the fact that helium indicated helium could not hear. 

NOTE: FOX6 News volition update this station arsenic caller grounds is presented.

Week 3 recap

During the 3rd week of the trial, the authorities rested its lawsuit aft calling 57 witnesses implicit 11 days. Before resting, the prosecution focused connected Brooks' apprehension the nighttime of the parade onslaught and Brooks' consequent interviews with detectives. The assemblage was besides taken retired of the courtroom to presumption the reddish SUV.

Brooks past delivered his deferred opening statement, crying arsenic helium told the assemblage helium was speaking "from the heart." Brooks past began to telephone defence witnesses, representing himself.

Christmas parade attack

Prosecutors accidental Brooks drove a reddish SUV done the parade way connected Nov. 21, 2021, sidesplitting six and injuring much than 60 others. 

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On Nov. 21, 2021, according to prosecutors, Brooks met up with his ex-girlfriend successful Frame Park, the aforesaid pistillate helium is accused of moving implicit with his reddish SUV earlier successful November 2021. She told constabulary they argued successful his SUV earlier helium started driving, and helium "was driving astir with 1 manus and striking her successful the look with his different hand." She yet got retired and called her friends for help.

Soon aft that, according to prosecutors, Brooks drove that reddish SUV done the parade route, sidesplitting Jackson Sparks, 8, Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52 and Wilhelm Hospel, 81. More than 60 others were hurt.