Darrell Brooks has filed to appeal his more than 70 convictions stemming from his attack on a Christmas parade in downtown Waukesha in November of 2021.
Brooks was found guilty last month of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide while using a deadly weapon. The jury deliberated for just over three hours before returning the verdict. Brooks drove an SUV into a crowd of participants and spectators – passing a police blockade and without stopping.
The six fatalities include Jackson Sparks, 8; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; LeAnna Owen, 71; Virginia Sorenson, 79; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.
A handwritten letter filed with the courts and obtained by Fox News shows Brooks plans to seek post-conviction relief.
“I have already filed the notice of right to seek post-conviction relief paperwork as of November 16, 2022, in this court, and I make a request to have the assistance of counsel from the Public Defender’s Office, and to be notified of said representation quickly and promptly,” wrote Brooks, according to the outlet. “It is not my intention to bring any controversy before the court, but it is my intention to have this post-conviction relief matter reviewed and heard of as quickly as possible as there are clear issues of the law and the legal facts of this matter.”
Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow granted Brook’s request to represent himself rather than be represented by an attorney. Before and during the trial, Brooks was repeatedly sent out of the courtroom to participate virtually following repeated disruptive outbursts. At one point, Brooks demanded the court provide proof that he is an American citizen and declared himself a sovereign citizen. He also repeatedly said he did not recognize the name “Darrell Brooks” but did not supply an alternative name.
Brooks has a history of violent and drug-related crimes. He is a registered sex offender in Nevada and was reportedly diagnosed as bipolar at the age of 11 while living in Milwaukee. He spoke for two hours during his sentencing, saying he planned to take the high road at one point.
“Regardless of what a lot of people may think about me, about who I am, about my family, about my beliefs, I know who I am,” Brooks told the court. “God knows who I am, and I don’t have any words of anger.”
The court also heard victim impact statements from 40 people, including those injured at the parade and family members of those killed.
Dorow ultimately sentenced Brooks to more than 700 years behind bars.
“You have absolutely no remorse for anything that you do. You have no empathy for anyone,” the judge said. “Frankly, Mr. Brooks, no one is safe from you.”
