Man accused of killing six at Wisconsin parade can represent himself at trial, judge says

MADISON, Wis. — A choose determined Wednesday to permit a Wisconsin man accused of killing six individuals and injuring dozens extra when he allegedly drove his SUV by way of a Christmas parade to signify himself at trial, discovering that he suffers from a persona dysfunction and faces an uphill struggle towards an skilled prosecutorial workforce however is mentally competent.

Waukesha County Circuit Decide Jennifer Dorow’s resolution leaves Darrell Brooks within the uncommon place of defending himself towards a rating of costs, together with six counts of intentional murder. His trial is scheduled to start Monday with jury choice.

Brooks has a highschool equivalency diploma however didn’t attend school. Dorow mentioned he has a constitutional proper to behave as his personal legal professional if he’s mentally competent.

Dorow mentioned she reviewed evaluations 4 psychologists carried out of Brooks and agreed with their findings that whereas he has a persona dysfunction and is disruptive, he’s clever and articulate sufficient to defend himself. She warned him that he can have issues understanding the principles of proof, when to object to rulings and find out how to study witnesses with none coaching, however she will’t stand in his approach.

“This court docket has warned Mr. Brooks what he’s moving into,” Dorow mentioned.

In accordance with prosecutors and investigators, Brooks drove his SUV by way of a Christmas parade in downtown Waukesha on Nov. 21. He refused instructions to cease and saved driving, operating individuals down, whilst law enforcement officials shot at his automobile, in keeping with a felony grievance.

He would face life in jail if convicted of any of the murder costs. He faces 71 further counts, together with 61 counts of felony reckless endangerment. Every a type of counts carries a most sentence of 12 1/2 years in jail. These counts even have a use-of-a-dangerous-weapon penalty enhancer, which might add one other 5 years on every depend.

He initially pleaded not responsible by cause of psychological illness however withdrew that plea earlier this month and filed a movement searching for to signify himself. He informed Dorow in court docket on Tuesday that his public defenders, Jeremy Perri and Anna Kees, haven’t defined the character of the costs to him.

Dorow questioned him repeatedly about whether or not he understood what he was doing, to which Brooks insisted that he was conscious however didn’t perceive. Dorow grew so annoyed with him that she adjourned the listening to and continued it Wednesday.

Their exchanges had been simply as combative on Wednesday. Brooks continually interrupted Dorow as she tried to elucidate the ramifications of his resolution once more and warned him that she doubtless wouldn’t assign an legal professional to the case if he asks for one because the trial progresses.

The choose warned him that if he continues to interrupt throughout the trial, she’s going to admonish him in entrance of the jury.

“That’s high-quality,” Brooks responded.