A Wisconsin jury convicted Darrell Brooks of of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide for driving his SUV into a crowd of Christmas parade attendees in Waukesha, Wi., last November, leaving six people dead and dozens wounded, CNN reports. Brooks, 40, pleaded not guilty to six counts of intentional homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon as well as more than 60 other counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. Prosecutors said in closing arguments Tuesday he intentionally drove through the crowd at significant speeds and hit 68 parade-goers, turning a joyous afternoon into a horrific one. “He reached speeds of approximately 30 mph. That’s intentional. He plowed through 68 different people. 68. How can you hit one and keep going? How can you hit two and keep going?” said Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper.
In his own closing arguments, Brooks attempted to raise questions about the vehicle and about his intent. He said there had been “misconceptions” and “lies” told about him during the trial. “I’ve never heard of someone trying to intentionally hurt someone while attempting to blow their horn while attempting to alert people of their presence,” Brooks said. The trial comes less than a year after a red SUV slammed through the crowd in Waukesha’s Christmas parade on November 21, killing an 8-year-old boy and several members of the “Dancing Grannies” group. Brooks had been released from jail less than two weeks earlier in a domestic abuse case, on a $1,000 bail that prosecutors later acknowledged was “inappropriately low.” In that case, he allegedly ran over a woman who said she’s the mother of his child. His trial has been marked by his unusual decision to represent himself in court and his persistent disruptions and outlandish behavior. Throughout the trial, he has spoken over prosecutors and the judge, asked vague questions, challenged the court’s jurisdiction and declared “Darrell Brooks” is not his name.
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