Darrell Brooks Apologizes to Court for His Disruptive Behavior

Witness testimony continued Monday morning, Oct. 10 in the Darrell Brooks trial who is charged in the November 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade attack. Before the jury came out, Brooks issued a court apology for his actions last week, “It’s emotional for the families involved, my family and myself and I should carry myself better. I wasn’t raised that way and I owe you, your Honor, and the court an apology.” said Brooks. After he caused numerous disruptions prior and was removed from the courtroom, this statement shocked many. 

The defendant appeared in court with a new appearance that made a bold statement. He had a bible next to him out in the open throughout the day and held it closely along with a box of books and documents. He continued to wear a face mask and was now wearing a suit and tie instead of the orange jumpsuit he had on in court before.

After the apology, Brooks made several claims that he was a sovereign citizen. Brooks asked the court to revisit concerns involving issues with subject matter jurisdiction. Judge Dorrow said she noted his concern. The subject was not mentioned later in court. 

Brooks continued to tell the judge he did not consent to being called by the name of Darrell Brooks after Dt. Tom Casey described the person who drove through the parade with that name during cross examination. No further comments were made about this. Brooks proceeded to ask questions. 

“I heard a horn beeping and a Ford Escape came through the parade route and you drove past me and wouldn’t stop and continued driving into the parade route.” Dt. Tom Casey said after Brooks asked him what he remembers seeing from the parade. Brooks asked him who he was referring to. 

 “Let the record reflect that I do not identify by that name nor do I know anybody by that name,” Brooks told the court yet again. 

Brooks asked Dt. Casey repeated how he previously described the operator of the vehicle at the Waukesha Christmas parade killings appearance and accused him of changing his answers about whether the suspect had hair or not. 

During redirect Brooks continued to ask questions about basic court proceedings; his questions kept being sustained after objections from prosecution. 

Waukesha Police Officer Bryce Butryn was called by the state and Brooks began cross examining him. A video played in court showed the car speeding through the parade route with the officer running after him and attempting to stop the vehicle.

“I saw multiple casualties in every direction and I kept chasing after the vehicle.” Officer Butryn told the jury. 

Butryn appeared to be uncomfortable when he was asked to describe what he witnessed when the car was driving through the parade route and hitting innocent people. Brooks continued to ask him questions about what he saw during the event. It appeared no one was certain where he was going with the questions he asked during cross examination. Many were overruled by prosecution. 

Brooks kept interrupting the witness and arguing with the judge while the state redirected witnesses. He continued to object to questions asked by the prosecutors multiple times. Judge Dorrow overruled Brooks’ objections. Brooks demonstrated his frustration by rolling his eyes and loud sighs. He continued to make disruptive comments throughout the day and the judge had to remind him to follow orders during the court proceedings.