The man accused of deliberately driving his automobile through a Wisconsin Christmas parade, running down spectators and performers, was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the deaths of the six people he killed during his rampage on Wednesday.
In addition, Darrell Brooks was found guilty on 61 charges of putting others’ safety in danger while using a dangerous weapon, six instances of hit-and-run fatalities, two counts of felony bail jumping, and one act of domestic abuse.
After a chaotic three-week trial in which Brooks chose to represent himself, the verdict was announced. Judge Jennifer Dorow of the Waukesha County Circuit Court was constantly interrupted by him.
He also irritated witnesses and occasionally slept off. It happened a year after he participated in the annual holiday day parade that wound through Waukesha on November 21, 2017, in a red SUV.
When Brooks rammed his car into the parade route, hundreds of people were swarming the downtown area.
Six individuals were struck and killed, many of them members of a troupe of elderly performers known as the “Dancing Grannies,” and many more were hurt.
The deceased were named as Jackson Sparks, 8, who participated in the procession with his baseball team; Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.
Prosecutors highlighted that Brooks purposefully drove into the celebrations and did not stop during final arguments on Tuesday, even after colliding with people.
JOIN US ON WHAT'SAPP, TO GET INSTANT STATUS UPDATES AND BE IN THE KNOW.
CLICK HERE
