A courtroom confrontation prompted a judge to break early from a Friday hearing for the man accused of intentional homicide.
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow first called for an unscheduled 20-minute break after defendant Darrell Brooks was noticed sleeping in court. The prisoner’s nap occurred during a defense motion to dismiss the case against him. Brooks is accused of killing six people and injuring dozens more at Waukesha’s Christmas Parade last November, according to a WUWM report.
The motion to dismiss was the defense response to a search of the prisoner’s cell by law enforcement after Brooks changed his plea from not guilty to not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
When all parties were present but before court officially resumed, Brooks began to speak loudly while seated at the defense table. Dorow informed Brooks that the livestream of the court hearing had been activated.
“I don’t care about no livestream, just like y’all don’t care,” responded Brooks. “All this is political. It’s the show. Y’all are being told what to do.”
The judge tried to get the proceeding back on track.
“Mr. Brooks, look at me for a minute,” said Dorow.
The defendant seemed to ignore the judge’s instruction as he continued speaking.
“Y’all sit up there and act like you know me,” exclaimed the prisoner. “People like you know nothing about where I come from.”
Bailiff postitioned themselves behind Brooks’ chair, according to the WUWM report. The man who allegedly mowed down Christmas parade participants then complained the officers were brushing up against him.
“Don’t push back, then,” one of the law enforcement members reportedly responded.
Brooks told him, “Don’t put your hand on me, dude.”
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The judge’s chair is described as being only a few feet away from the prisoner’s seat in the report.
“Nobody put their hands on you,” Dorow declared from personal observation.
“They better not put their hand on me,” the contentious con countered.
Another break of about 105 minutes was declared by Dorow who warned Brooks he would forfeit his right to present in court if he continued to interrupt proceedings.
The prisoner was led away in restraints by bailiffs as he reportedly continued to admonish them to take their hands off him.
Calm was restored when court resumed after lunch and the judge asked the prisoner about his health and ability to participate in his defense. The defendant’s lawyer, Jeremy Perri, told Dorow he had no concerns about that.
Later, Brooks asked Dorow, through his attorney, if he could go back to his cell. He said he did not want to be present during jury questioning.
“I don’t want to be here,” declared Brooks.
The judge allowed Brooks to return to his cell, explaining he could return at any time if he informed jailors he changed his mind about attending.
He faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted of even one death. Wisconsin does not sentence people to death for crimes.
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