Althouse: Pro se.

October 21, 2022

Pro se.

Witness has seen enough antics from Waukesha killer pic.twitter.com/RJA3XIOA3E
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 21, 2022

63 comments:

Ann Althouse said...: Here's some detail on the trial: "Waukesha Parade suspect Darrell Brooks trial Day 14: Brooks begins his defense/Darrell Brooks, who represents himself, is charged with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide."; 10/21/22, 6:32 AM
gilbar said...: If you were going to spend your life in jail; pretending to be a lawyer might be a fun diversion; 10/21/22, 6:40 AM
wendybar said...: Meanwhile, Our corrupt Justice Department is asking this corrupt partisan congress for 34 million more dollars of our money to continue the Show trial Insider Trading Pelosi is putting on, so they can target Trump supporters with more FBI raids in the morning to make sure this election goes the way the Insider Trading Queen wants. We are living in a Banana Republic now thanks to the Democrat party.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11339221/Justice-Dept-ask-Congress-34million-extra-funding-continue-investigation-January-6.html; 10/21/22, 6:40 AM
BIII Zhang said...: That's pretty good lawyering. The witness was clearly attempting to evade the question of whether he actually witnessed the accident.

At first, the witness says he saw people getting run over. Then, when pressed, claims that he saw "a red SUV leaving the scene like a bat out of hell." Those are two different things.

Seeing a SUV leave is not the same as seeing the people get run over. It is common cross-examination to get specificity from the witness in order to test their memory and create doubt in the jurors minds (which is the job of this defense attorney, even though he is also the defendant.)

It's unclear whether this witness did see the actual truck running people over, or instead, saw the aftermath (or worse, just saw a truck leaving a scene).; 10/21/22, 6:42 AM
Dave Begley said...: “Did you see me driving the SUV that killed all those people?”

“Yes.”

Brooks is crazy like a fox. Ten years from now he will get a reversal because of ineffective assistance of counsel: Himself.; 10/21/22, 6:48 AM
Mr. Forward said...: The jury should get five minutes alone with the defendant.; 10/21/22, 7:02 AM
Richard said...: Might be interesting to compare this coverage to that of the Rittenhouse trial.; 10/21/22, 7:14 AM
Richard said...: Might be interesting to compare this coverage to that of the Rittenhouse trial.; 10/21/22, 7:14 AM
Achilles said...: I hope for this trial to be televised.

Everyone should know who and what democrats stand for.; 10/21/22, 7:23 AM
Lem the artificially intelligent said...: Reminds me of the Long Island Rail Road shooter Colin Ferguson.

Number of deaths: 6
Date: December 7, 1993
Injuries (nonfatal): 19
Weapons: Ruger P89 semi-automatic pistol
Convicted: February 17, 1995

Colin Ferguson also had a fool for a client.; 10/21/22, 7:24 AM
MadisonMan said...: As a juror on a case tried by the current Madison DA, way back when (before he was a DA), let me say that the (alleged) Waukesha Killer is just about as competent a lawyer as what I observed when what's-his-name was trying the case I watched (he lost too).; 10/21/22, 7:24 AM
Bob Boyd said...: Did you see the perp's expressions at the very end? He's mugging like the witness is really behaving inappropriately and he's embarrassed for him and trying to patient about it and he expects the judge and jury to share that feeling with him. The guy is a total sociopath.; 10/21/22, 7:31 AM
john said...: It's obvious to me that by allowing him to represent himself after declaring him sane is tantamount to admitting his inevitable guilty verdict will be overturned. In the meantime he is just tickled at the attention he is making for himself.; 10/21/22, 7:43 AM
J Severs said...: In that brief clip the witness shows admirable composure in spite of his obvious underlying rage.; 10/21/22, 7:44 AM
Sydney said...: Was that a witness for the defense? It seems like really bad judgement to represent yourself in a murder trial. Even if you were an excellent lawyer, how could you avoid the hostility of the witnesses when they are forced to engage with you face to face?; 10/21/22, 7:45 AM
Jake said...: A complete spectacle. Give the man his due process then put him in a small cage for the rest of his life.; 10/21/22, 7:52 AM
Narr said...: Just shoot the fucker now.; 10/21/22, 8:14 AM
Bob Boyd said...: Then, when pressed, claims that he saw "a red SUV leaving the scene like a bat out of hell."

No. The witness said, "I saw a red SUV take off like a bat out of hell down main street and go through a crowd of people."

"Take off" can mean to leave or, as in this case, it can mean, to accelerate rapidly.; 10/21/22, 8:27 AM
Leo said...: Just to let people know, the incompetent counsel grounds for appeal is unavailable to you if you represent yourself.; 10/21/22, 8:35 AM
WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...: Won't matter. Our Soros filled political and justice system will left this guy off with a slap.; 10/21/22, 8:35 AM
WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...: Democrat heart's bleed for killers.; 10/21/22, 8:36 AM
Lurker21 said...: Tell some people that "A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client" and they think they are smart enough to disprove the cliché. The temptation can be hard to resist if you are already unbalanced enough to commit the crime.; 10/21/22, 8:36 AM
Achilles said...: Narr said...

Just shoot the fucker now.

Naw.

Put him front and center on the tele every day until November 8th.

Force everyone to watch.

Especially in Wisconsin.; 10/21/22, 8:37 AM
Narr said...: Leo informs us that "the incompetent counsel grounds for appeal is unavailable to you if you represent yourself."

That's reassuring, but certain to be changed if this shithead is convicted.; 10/21/22, 8:39 AM
Narr said...: OK, public display until 8 November, then a neck-shot.; 10/21/22, 8:41 AM
Don B. said...: Sydney 7:45--Yes, this was Brooks' first defense witness. Achilles 7:23--it is all over Youtube; 10/21/22, 8:41 AM
Joe Smith said...: "Brooks is crazy like a fox. Ten years from now he will get a reversal because of ineffective assistance of counsel: Himself."

This is what is wrong with our society.

A sane country would convict him and execute him after appeals that last only six months.

But America is in steep decline and would never do the sane thing.

How would they handle this guy in China or Russia?

That's why we are no longer the strong horse...; 10/21/22, 8:41 AM
Mike Sylwester said...: Brooks is not trying to prove that he is innocent.

Rather, he is trying to prove that the legal system is corrupt. The judge is unfair, and the witnesses are unreliable.; 10/21/22, 8:42 AM
Gusty Winds said...: Waukesha can thank Democrat Milwaukee County DA John Chisolm for this entire tragic fiasco.

He's the crook that harassed Scott Walker and his supporters during the John Doe investigations. Much like how the FBI operates today. He's a George Soros dream boy.

Let's remember, not only did Darrel Brooks kill Dancing Grannies and children...but there are children that survived that are now maimed for life.

Build a wall at 124th Street.; 10/21/22, 8:50 AM
Jim Gust said...: Scenes such as this will encourage vigilante justice in the future.

Much more publicity from this case, please.; 10/21/22, 9:03 AM
Aggie said...: The killer is dysfunctional, and the society he moved freely within, prior to the massacre, is just as dysfunctionally enabling - as we can see via this disturbing clip. Progressivism can be a disease; Assertion of the progressive individual's 'feelings' and emotions are encouraged, as 'Rights', regardless of how many others it unfavorably affects - and within the protected classes, even purely racist rage with multiple fatalities gets the kid gloves. Does this deranged jackass have the 'Right' to everyone's indulgent attention while he places his legal incompetence on display? No. The judge is cowardly, weak - and Progressive.; 10/21/22, 9:18 AM
Charlie said...: I'm not normally a big fan of the death penalty but I am in this case.

Like make it happen tomorrow.; 10/21/22, 9:20 AM
Owen said...: Try him and fry him.

And send his family the bill for his custody, trial and ultimate disposition.; 10/21/22, 9:43 AM
gahrie said...: What is his defense? The SUV did drive through a parade and kill people. This piece of shit was behind the wheel. These are objective facts. The trial should have lasted a half hour and this asshole should have been swinging from a rope within days of the crime.; 10/21/22, 9:56 AM
Leland said...: I take it the witness lives on or near Main St. and saw a red SUV drive into a crowd of people attending a parade happening on Main St. The red SUV struck several people, injured those people, and the witness saw these injuries. That's my takeaway from the exchange without adding external information.

Externally, now that Congress and the DC courts have made "parading" a felony with prison time; I suspect copycat attempts to run over other revelers while thinking doing so is in service of the country.; 10/21/22, 10:02 AM
Drago said...: The killer's only real "mistake" was not finding a white person, any white person, he could run up to after his murders and have that white person tackle him and lean on his neck for a moment and have it filmed.

Had the killer done that, our New Soviet Democraticals would already have declared him a Hero of the Revolution, named elementary schools after him and had a statue of him placed in National Statuary Hall in the Capital as a reminder, somehow, of January 6th and the dangers of MAGA.

So many missed opportunities for the killer to monetize his murders.; 10/21/22, 10:14 AM
William said...: Cruel and unusual punishment. That shouldn't just apply to defendants. If you were the parent of a murdered child, it would be immeasurably painful to have to witness this or, worse, to be subject to such a cross examination. I understand why the parents were so upset at Alex Jones. Is this so different?; 10/21/22, 10:28 AM
Joe Smith said...: 'What is his defense? The SUV did drive through a parade and kill people.'

Well, almost every news report stated something along the lines of 'An SUV plowed into a group of people marching in a parade...'

So clearly the SUV did it.

Kind of like 'AR-15 kills...'; 10/21/22, 10:54 AM
Douglas B. Levene said...: That made my day.; 10/21/22, 10:57 AM
Michael K said...: Actually, this is pretty good timing. Right before the election. They should televise it.; 10/21/22, 10:58 AM
BUMBLE BEE said...: My beloved grandfather died on December 23. I can tell you from experience that this eleven year old spent Christmas+ in a funeral home, listening to my wailing grandmother who lost her entire world. That entire town is tragically scarred, perhaps for life. Justice calls for Vlad Tepes at the least. Nothing fast.; 10/21/22, 11:05 AM
chickelit said...: Is the accused billing hours and getting compensation?; 10/21/22, 11:27 AM
rhhardin said...: He gets to have his say. You can't convict someone except against the best possible defense, at least offered.; 10/21/22, 11:28 AM
hawkeyedjb said...: “Is there going to be an individual I divert, or I put into treatment program, who’s going to go out and kill somebody?” John Chisholm said in a 2007 interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “You bet. Guaranteed. It’s guaranteed to happen. It does not invalidate the overall approach.”

The citizens of Milwaukee County voted for this. They wanted it. Killing innocent people was a campaign promise, and voters rewarded this promise because it reflects their values.

And if killing innocent people does not "invalidate the process," then nothing can. This is evil on an astonishing scale. If I lived in Milwaukee County I would wonder which of my neighbors voted for the killing of their fellow citizens.; 10/21/22, 11:39 AM
Iman said...: ^^what gahrie said at 9:56am!^^; 10/21/22, 12:05 PM
Howard said...: Maybe the supremes will bring back lynching for you people. Will you be happy then?; 10/21/22, 12:05 PM
Howard said...: Maybe the supremes will bring back lynching for you people. Will you be happy then?; 10/21/22, 12:05 PM
MadTownGuy said...: WI has never had the death penalty, as far as I know, but if the accused is imprisoned and meets some of the wrong people while there, he may get the same treatment as did Jeffrey Dahmer.; 10/21/22, 12:08 PM
wildswan said...: This guy thinks he's being brilliant. He ran over his "girlfriend's" leg with his mother's car and then phoned her from jail to offer marriage in exchange for her dropping charges. He was let out on low bail by a Soros DA and, driving his mother's car, went back to his girlfriend for more plea bargaining, this time with a knife. The police came at once when called and he fled before they arrived, racing back down the road to Milwaukee. That road had become the Christmas parade route. It is alleged, based on videos and eye-witness testimony that he raced down the route killing six and injuring 62. It's always been about him you can see how it amuses him to toy with the emotions of eye-witnesses who are sickened by him.; 10/21/22, 12:13 PM
Joe Smith said...: 'Maybe the supremes will bring back lynching for you people. Will you be happy then?'

You mean like in the DEMOCRAT South?

Moron.; 10/21/22, 12:41 PM
gahrie said...: Maybe the supremes will bring back lynching for you people. Will you be happy then?

The return of lynching is most likely if scum like this gets off.; 10/21/22, 1:17 PM
Aggie said...: "that you are able to think up."

Howard - Maybe you need an imagination transplant if that's the only alternative that you are capable of thinking up, to this mockery of a trial. So very narrow and limited, I'm surprised you even can muster an opinion. Do you think this homicidal imbecile is getting a fair trial, by representing himself?; 10/21/22, 1:17 PM
Michael K said...: Blogger Howard said...

Maybe the supremes will bring back lynching for you people. Will you be happy then?

No, that's your team courtesy of Antifa. Sorry to have violated my intention to ignore you, troll.; 10/21/22, 1:20 PM
Butkus51 said...: A product of Wisconsin progressives.

He's just misunderstood. That's all it is.; 10/21/22, 1:25 PM
Christopher B said...: Blogger Howard said...
Maybe the supremes will bring back lynching for you people. Will you be happy then?

Pretty rich, coming from a guy whose panties regularly get wet as he imagines mowing down hordes of MAGAots.; 10/21/22, 1:33 PM
gadfly said...: Honest, wendybar, Nancy Pelosi doesn't work for the DOJ. She has nothing to do with the 870 rioters being tried for invading the Capitol on January 6. But testimony shows that some of these people were out to kill her and Mike Pence.

The January 6 putsch is all Donnie's fault, with direct help from some congressional Republicans, Whitehouse staff, and famous Trumpists.

How much did you donate to the cause?; 10/21/22, 1:45 PM
Curious George said...: "Howard said...
Maybe the supremes will bring back lynching for you people. Will you be happy then?"

Sure. But I'm more of an Old Sparky guy. Strap 'em in, light 'em up. I'm old school.; 10/21/22, 2:33 PM
BG said...: Wisconsin Historical Society article regarding the state's death penalty.
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2816

Please note the solitary sentence right before the last paragraph. The first two words "None of" need removal.; 10/21/22, 3:14 PM
takirks said...: And yet more legal system legitimacy goes pissing away. This whole farce is a waste of money, because you know damn good and well they're going to appeal this, even if he's convicted, and the appeal will be based on ineffective counsel. That they allowed to happen.

Watch as "the system" spends millions on future trials and appeals. Observe as the public grows tired of the ludicrous BS, and ceases participating in the farce.

See what comes next, after people cease calling the police. You won't like it. I know I won't.; 10/21/22, 3:46 PM
Gusty Winds said...: I saw the Dancing Grannies re-emerge marching in the Sussex, WI Lion's Daze parade this summer. There was an SUV in front of them and one behind them. I figured they were there for interference and protection. The one following them had a placard on the side that said "In Honor of our Fallen" and listed the names of the dead. They received the loudest applause in the parade. You expect to think of "the fallen" when you see the Color Guard.

This trial is reflective of the ugliness that divides Wisconsin by feudal fiefdoms. It really started dividing in 2011 with Scott Walker's election, Act 10, the protests...and the recall. Wisconsin is no longer about cheese curds, beer and brats. "Wisconsin nice" is pretty much dead.

Darrell Brooks was thrust upon Waukesha by Milwaukee's Democrat leadership and its rapid deterioration, corruption, and combined arrogance. Madison is Milwaukee's fossil fuel. They power its deteriorating engine...but give the engine just enough power to run over Dancing Grannies.

Guarantee Milwaukee and Madison don't give a rats ass about the dead and maimed Waukesha parade attendees and victims. Sadly, Milwaukee has so many more victims. Madison doesn't care about those people either. Only at election time.

There is something deeper and more symbolically sinister that it happened at a Christmas parade. Satan would applaud. Waukesha County celebrates Christmas and still has a pretty strong Christian base. Madison and Milwaukee are all about dancing naked around the science tree and celebrating the Winter Solstice. They worship man and the earth. Madison hates God.

It's hard to resist contempt and resentment. I used to LOVE Milwaukee. Deep Irish roots there. And I use to just think Madison was kind of nuts. You know. The good kind of nuts. But they support the people and ideology that created Darrel Brooks and let him roam free. Now, they refuse to change course.

Why hasn't Gov. Tony Evers fired Milwaukee DA John Chisolm that let this guy loose after he ran over his girlfriend with the same car? Why do they support Mandela Barnes that wants to let people like Darrel Brooks out of prison?

Milwaukee and Madison think Waukesha County is full of fascists that are a threat to "democracy". Darrell Brooks just ran over old fascists and young future ones. None of this is surprising after watching Gov Tony Evers let Kenosha burn as he refused to help to quench the fires. It took a hero like Kyle Rittenhouse to put out Kenosha's fires. And Milwaukee and Madison HATE that kid.

I know this is a local rant, but Waukesha County is filled with good hard working people, who keep their communities safe, and schools open. It's the furthest thing from "fascist" you will find.

Of course I know that every school shooter is blamed on the GOP and guns. That's all bullshit. Brooks didn't use a gun. Remember when the liberal press wrote "SUV Runs Over Dancing Grannies", like it a was an evil Herbie the Luv Bug? Talk about fucking denial. Darrel Brooks and the Waukesha Christmas Parade dead and maimed are the direct result of liberal revolving door, low/no bail policies implemented by our current state leaders.

So fuck all Ya'll. Oh...and Merry Christmas. That should piss them off too.; 10/21/22, 6:28 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: He should fire himself.; 10/21/22, 7:06 PM
effinayright said...: "Brooks is crazy like a fox. Ten years from now he will get a reversal because of ineffective assistance of counsel: Himself."
***********

Has this ever happened?

Citations, please.

I ask because, if true, it would mean ALL criminal defendants would defend themselves pro se, sure of an eventual reversal.; 10/21/22, 9:16 PM
wendybar said...: Watch as he gets less time that Steve Bannon. Progressives like him are above the law, right gadfly??; 10/22/22, 5:09 AM