WAUKESHA, Wis. — Darrell Brooks Jr. will be formally sentenced during a two-day hearing starting on Nov. 15. He was found guilty on all 76 charges for killing six people and injuring dozens more in last year’s Waukesha Christmas parade.
The sentencing date was scheduled during a hearing on Monday.
Less than 15 minutes into Monday’s hearing, Brooks started to interrupt and shout at Judge Jennifer Dorow.
Brooks wanted the court record to show he was in ankle shock restraints during the reading of the verdicts. However, that claim has been disputed.
Brooks brought it up as the jurors were entering the courtroom last Wednesday.
“Your honor, seeing that we’ve reached the verdict, is it necessary that I have these shock devices on my ankles?” he asked.
Dorow said she had deputies take photos of the restraint on Wednesday because of that statement. Those photos will remain under seal from the public.
Brooks insisted Monday that the record was incorrect, saying he was in shock devices, and didn’t want that hidden from the public.
“Why do they need to be sealed from the public? Why do they need to be sealed from the public?” Brooks asked multiple times.
Brooks was removed to the other courtroom due to disruptions; the judge then explained why the photos were not being made public.
“We don’t frankly need inmates doing research or the public doing research on what these restraints are,” Dorow said. “There is an important security aspect related to keeping courts safe — keeping inmates safe; that is why I’m sealing that information from public view.”
Dorow had a deputy sworn in to testify about what restraints Brooks was wearing.
“It’s a soft restraint that we used,” said Nicholas Kibler. “It was not any type of electronic control device. It was just a soft restraint that we applied to Mr. Brooks prior to coming into court every day.”
“At any point in time, were there any type of electronic or stun device placed on Mr. Brooks?” Dorow asked Kibler.
“There was not,” he replied.
Prosecutors said they have 36 people who will read or have a statement read in court during the sentencing hearings. Five to 10 others are giving written statements. The deputy district attorney said the state will also need about 30 to 45 minutes to address the judge themselves, estimating they will need a total of four to four-and-a-half hours.
Brooks will also be able to give a statement. He said he estimated 20 people will give statements on his behalf.
The parties have to give lists to the court by noon on Nov. 11 with names of anyone who wishes to speak on Zoom.
Brooks argued he wanted more time because he’s been in suicide protocol since the verdicts were read, and hasn’t had time to contact anyone. That request was denied.
Brooks also filed an inmate communication form and sent it to Judge Dorow on Friday. He said he plans to appeal his conviction and said he would address it Monday. It was not brought up in court.
Brooks will have 20 days after his sentencing to file a notice to appeal.