Daryl Brooks Jr. gave a tearful opening statement Thursday as she began presenting her defense in the months-long trial related to the 2021 Waukesha Christmas tragedy.
Brooks, 40, of Milwaukee is charged with six counts of first-degree murder, 61 counts of reckless endangerment, six counts of hit-and-run resulting in death, and two counts of aggravated assault. all related to the film’s tragedy – and crime. battery. He represents himself.
Prosecutors closed the case early Thursday after more than a week and a half of testimony. This process is expected to last until October. 28. Here is what happened on day 14 of the trial:
Brooks made a moving opening statement. “He has two sides to every story.”
Brooks gave an emotional opening statement to prosecutors Thursday afternoon, pausing frequently to wipe away tears. He said his words were not spoken but “from the heart”. Before speaking, he removed the surgical mask worn during the intervention. “There are always two sides to every story,” he began. There is only one side to this story. He said that the evidence presented showed that this incident was not intentional or planned. “I know you’ve seen me wearing this mask,” Brooks told jurors. “There’s a reason for that, but I think it’s time to take off the mask and look at myself for who I am.”
He reminded the judges to be open minded and empowered. After the deposition, Waukesha County District Judge Jennifer Doro requested that Brooks be rehabilitated. He had already said that he planned to call ten witnesses.
The lead investigator in the case is back on the podium
Prosecutors called the main investigator in the case, Detective Waukesha Thomas Casey, the first witness on Thursday. Casey explained that the charges only include victims who were hit by an SUV and were innocuous at the show. Casey said he reviewed video from 300 to 400 surveillance cameras that captured footage of the incident. “I’ve never seen anyone other than the accused drive a vehicle in any of the videos I’ve seen,” Casey said. The jury viewed security camera footage from Brooks’ mother’s backyard that showed Brooks entering the red SUV that crashed into the parade route.
During the cross-examination, Brooks asked Casey to confirm that the man in the CCTV footage was not wearing a hoodie. Casey agreed. After the parade, a hoodie belonging to Brooks was discovered.
Emotions are high after a rap video featuring Brooks was played in front of the jury
Prosecutors called the case’s lead investigator, Waukesha Detective Thomas Casey, as the first witness on Thursday. Casey explained that the charges only apply to those who were injured by the SUV and innocent people during the demonstration. Casey said he reviewed video from 300 to 400 surveillance cameras that captured the footage. “I didn’t see anyone other than the defendant driving in any of the videos I watched,” Casey said. Jurors saw video from Brooks’ mother’s home security camera showing Brooks getting into a red SUV that crashed into the road.
During questioning, Brooks asked Casey to note that the man seen on the CCTV footage was not wearing a hoodie. Casey agreed. Brooks’ hoodie was spotted after the show. Emotions rise after a rap video with Brooks in front of a jury
He also said that the lawyers mocked him during his trial.
There’s nothing stopping you from taking something out of your pocket and posting it right now,” Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Offers said of the video. He denied making fun of Brooks.
“(The plan) is going to think I’m crazy,” Brooks said. When Drow asked Brooks to sit down, he refused. “I don’t want your voice,” he told her. Douro took a 15-minute break, but failed to drag Brooks onto the court.
Brooks called another witness to testify:
After his initial statement, Brooks called Nicholas Kirby, a close friend of Brooks, as a second witness. Kirby had already testified for the prosecution about the indoor assault near Brooks at Old Frame Park before the parade.
Kirby testified that he and Cory Runkle, a woman at Brooks’ former home in Waukesha, were looking for Brooks’ ex after she called Kirby for help until Brooks attacked her. Kirby can hear Brooks’ screams first, and runs to help him. Brooks questioned Kirby’s “sense of urgency” about seeing his ex-girlfriend. “He said he was in trouble,” Kirby replied. “I don’t play when people are in trouble.”
Brooks asked if he saw anyone injured during the march. “I saw a red SUV take off like a bat out of hell down Main Street and through the crowd,” Kaby said.
Read also: Update Video Darrell Brooks Accident News Crashes Six People Driving To Death
