On Wednesday, a Wisconsin judge sentenced Darrell Brooks Jr. to six life sentences for killing six people and injuring 61 others last year by driving his car through a parade.
Representing himself in court, Brooks, 40, spoke for two hours before being sentenced. The life sentences will be consecutive, and Brooks is ineligible for parole.
Late last month, a jury convicted Brooks of 76 counts — including first-degree intentional homicide, recklessly endangering safety, hit-and-run causing death, bail jumping, and battery — for carrying out the mass slaying last November at a parade in Waukesha.
"Some people unfortunately choose a path of eveil and I think, Mr. Brooks, you are one of those such persons." – Judge Dorow. #DarrellBrooks pic.twitter.com/HXu18sQHDL
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) November 16, 2022
The victims — who Brooks received life sentences for — were Virginia Sorenson, 79; Leanna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; and Jackson Sparks, 8. Eighteen children were among the 61 injured paradegoers.
Brooks received an additional 762 years for the dozens of people he injured.
During the trial, Brooks was frequently ousted from the main courtroom for outbursts stemming from his claims that the court lacked jurisdiction because he is a sovereign citizen. He also sparred with Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow about being allowed to tell jurors about jury nullification in his closing statements.
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[Featured image: Darrell Brooks Jr./Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office]
