A man who killed six people and injured many others while driving to a Christmas parade has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release.
An 8-year-old boy who was marching with his baseball team and three members of the Dancing Grannies group were killed and more than 60 others were injured when Darrell Brooks drove his Ford into crowds near Milwaukee.
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow sentenced the 40-year-old to 76 counts, including six counts of first-degree manslaughter and 61 counts of reckless endangerment.
Each homicide carries a life sentence, and the only uncertainty is whether Judge Doro will allow Brooks to serve his sentence under long-term community supervision, the state’s current version of parole.
she didn’t.
Wisconsin does not have the death penalty.
Brooks’ victims made impact statements to the court, and almost all of them asked the judge for the harshest possible sentence.
Chris Owens’ mother, who was also among those killed, told Brooks: “I just ask that you rot, and that you rot slowly.”
Waukesha community devastated by killings
fight with ex girlfriend
Brooks drives his red Ford Maverick through the parade After an argument with an ex-girlfriend on November 21, 2021 in downtown Waukesha.
He initially pleaded guilty by reason of mental illness, but withdrew his plea in September.
The following month, he fired his lawyer and began defending himself in court.
He claimed his car’s gas pedal was malfunctioning, he had no intention of harming anyone and had honked his horn to warn bystanders.
However, a vehicle inspector attested that the Ford Escape SUV was in good working order.