Man convicted of killing 6 with SUV in Christmas parade
MADISON, Wis. • A Wisconsin man was convicted Wednesday of killing six people and injuring dozens of others when he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade, wrapping up a trial in which he defended himself with bizarre legal theories and erratic outbursts.
It took the jury a little over three hours to find Darrell Brooks guilty of all 76 charges, including six counts of first-degree intentional homicide.
He faces a mandatory life sentence on each homicide count.
Brooks, dressed in a suit and tie, silently rested his head on folded hands as the verdicts were read.
His subdued demeanor was a stark departure from previous days of the trial, when his sometimes-outrageous behavior drew rebukes from the judge.
Judge Jennifer Dorow scheduled a hearing Monday to set a date for sentencing, when victims and their families will be able to make statements.
Tyler Pudleiner, who was performing with the Waukesha South High School band when he was hit by Brooks’ SUV, said Wednesday that the convictions will help the victims heal.
“One of the things that I’ve said throughout this is we’re stronger than (Brooks), and it’s been proven today,” Pudleiner said.
Brooks drove his Ford Escape into the Christmas parade in Waukesha in suburban Milwaukee on Nov. 21 moments after fleeing a domestic disturbance with his ex-girlfriend, prosecutors said.
Darrell Brooks listens as the jurors confirm their guilty verdicts Wednesday after they were read during his trial in a Waukesha County Circuit Court in Waukesha, Wis.