It's the FINALE of
"GROUNDS: THE DARRELL BROOKS SENTENCING SHOW!"
This actually went pretty quickly with all the election news... tomorrow's hearing will be live-streamed as usual. Wonder how Darrell's going to be looking and if he's still going to bring up Subject Matter Jurisdiction and his other SovCit games. Over the course of two days, 45 victims will verbally read victim impact statements. Nine of them will be children. Judge Dorow has ordered the faces of minors will not be shown publicly unless their parent allows. Each speaker will get five minutes to read their statement. Brooks gave the court a list of nine people expected to speak on his behalf, including relatives and his mother Dawn Woods. His grandmother gave WISN 12 News she plans to read over Zoom on Brooks' behalf*.
Roughly 45 victims expected to give impact statements at Darrell Brooks sentencing
By: Michele Fiore Twitter Posted: Nov 14, 2022 7:56 PM CST
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The sentencing hearing for Darrell Brooks in the Waukesha Christmas parade massacre starts Tuesday, Nov. 15. Victims taking the stand have been given strict instructions on how to proceed. Roughly 45 victims have impact statements. We spoke to one of the youngest who says it's not going to be an easy thing to do, but he's ready to join the others in court and let Darrell Brooks know together, Waukesha remains strong. Tuesday's an important day for roughly 45 victims, including nine children, once again facing Darrell Brooks, the man who killed six, physically injured dozens of others and emotionally scarred an entire community. Darrell Brooks questioned one witness in court, saying, "Do you recall in your interview with law enforcement that evening stating that you thought it was possibly a gun?" "Yes," said Christopher Bertram in court on Oct. 21, 2022.
Like the criminal case, the sentencing hearing's also being livestreamed. Darrell Brooks questioned another witness, "Do you recall how that SUV looked at that time?" "It was smashed to smithereens," said Deanne Aldrich, in court on the same date. Most victims will be reading their impact statements in court, allowed to have one or two people stand beside them for support. "Kind of nerve-wracking. I don't think I'll get a lot of sleep tonight, but you know," said Tyler Pudleiner, survivor. A year later, this high school senior's still nursing an injured leg. Even now, Tyler Pudleiner's having trouble forming the words he'll say in court. He says the statement can't be attacking in nature. Obviously with the antics that have been shown across the past month, I'm kind of assuming it'll go in one ear and go right out the other, but at least it'll be said and it'll be somewhat heard," said Pudleiner.
"That impact statement is their own voice. They weren't allotted a voice when this truck came barreling down in the middle of a parade," said Janice Gorden, with Victims of Milwaukee Violence. Gorden says reliving that horrible day can send a victim's recovery back to the beginning but writing out their feelings is important in the healing process. "Nobody's sure how it's supposed to be done. There's no expert on writing that. Just write and as they're writing, they'll cross out and keep what they want in the statement," said Gorden. Pudleiner's memories are vague from the day the red SUV plowed into a crowd full of Christmas revelers on a quaint street in downtown Waukesha, striking the Waukesha band Pudleiner was marching with. Pudleiner's established a not-for-profit to benefit those who've experienced trauma. It's called The Bobbleheads Together Project, and for more information, you can email
bobbleheadsbringustogether@gmail.com. The Darrell Brooks trial was first anticipated to go just two weeks. It stretched to three. Now, sentencing is expected to last a day-and-a-half.
https://www.cbs58.com/news/roughly-45-v ... sentencing
Darrell Brooks' sentencing: What to expect
By Sam Kraemer Published November 13, 2022 6:46PM Updated 9:14PM
WAUKESHA, Wis. - Darrell Brooks was tried and convicted on all 76 counts in the Waukesha Christmas parade attack. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 15 and 16, Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow will sentence Brooks. Brooks will never be a free man again. First-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence in Wisconsin, and the jury found Brooks guilty on six counts. Judge Dorow has discretion over the other 70 counts, a decision that will come after victims have their chance to speak.
All October long, the spotlight and priority were his, but come Tuesday, the scale tips back toward the victims of the Waukesha Christmas parade attack. "No one is really hearing their story, and so I think these types of sentencing proceedings really create a window of opportunity for the folks that have had to sit there for weeks and weeks," said Jon Cross, University of Wisconsin Law School professor. The Waukesha County District Attorney's Office said 36 people plan to speak or enter a written statement describing how Brooks' actions have impacted their lives. "For the victims, for the people who are going to be speaking, it can be really intense," said Gross.
Gross said the big question isn't whether Brooks' sentence will be harsh but whether Brooks has any chance at parole, especially after a trial full of delays and disruptions. "His behavior during the trial has done nothing to help his case that he should be made eligible for parole, at the very least," said Gross. Brooks said he also has people that will speak on his behalf. Then Judge Dorow will sentence him and explain her reasoning for the 70 other charges. Gross said he expects a heavy sentence given the impact this crime had on all of Waukesha. "When it's something high-profile like this, I think judges have an additional kind of weight to help people heal and help the community to move on," said Gross. Judge Dorow set Tuesday aside to hear as many speakers as possible before she's expected to render her decision Wednesday.
Brooks faces the consecutive six life sentences plus 859 years in prison.
https://www.fox6now.com/news/darrell-br ... ade-attack
* Here's that statement:
Darrell Brooks' grandmother's impact statement for sentencing hearing
Brooks was convicted of killing six people and injuring more than 60 others in the Waukesha Christmas Parade
Updated: 10:00 PM CST Nov 14, 2022
This is the statement Darrell Brooks' grandmother plans to read over Zoom during his sentencing hearing:
My name is Dr. Mary Darlene Edwards. I am the grandmother of Darrell Edward Brooks, Jr. I asked to be here today for two reasons.
First, from the bottom of my heart, I want to offer my sincere apology to the families of those who have lost their precious grandmothers, the family of the little boy, and to all whose lives have been damaged by this overwhelming tragedy, a tragedy caused by my grandson. As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I want to give you this promise from the scriptures, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted."
My prayer is that you will not be like the man who drank poison and hoped his enemy would die. Unforgiveness is a horrible disease just like mental illness.
Truly, there have been many losses because of this tragedy. Darrell's mother has lost a son. I have lost a grandson. Darrell’s children have lost a father. And Darrell has lost his mind and his life in the outside world.
When you look at Darrell, you see a monster. I can understand that. However, when I look at Darrell I see a grandson whom I love, who is a deeply troubled soul… and who needs help. Sadly, I have more than one generation of bipolar people in my family. More than once, I have heard them say, "People just won't listen to us." I believe my grandson's behavior, including his voice, should get the attention of the powers that be, near and far, to address mental health issues in ways that will make a critical difference. Truly, we must start with the younger generations. Darrell has lived with bipolar disorder since the age of 12 and that disorder drove his impulses. It is my prayer that he be treated for this illness and managed in a facility that addresses mental health concerns. That he will receive help and not punishment.
Finally, I am 80 years old and have been an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 47 of those 80 years. God has used my life to revitalize an entire community on the eastside of Detroit called "Ravendale." For this work, I have received a "Thousand Points of Light Award" (107th) from former President George H. W. Bush, Sr. This work was done under the leadership of my late husband, Rev. Eddie K. Edwards. I share this information, not to boast, but rather to let you know I care about people and their wellbeing. My work can be viewed in the Legacy Library at the University of Michigan.
Presently, there is a church in Detroit planning to establish a mental health clinic in the Ravendale Community, honoring Rev. Edwards and myself. Without hesitation, I will support this effort and do everything I can to help those struggling with mental health issues. I also have now become a certified mental health coach since this great tragedy.
It is my prayer and my belief that God will hear the cries of all impacted by this terrible tragedy. It is also my prayer that He will hear the cries of the mentally ill. Again, it is my prayer that Darrell Edward Brooks, Jr. will get help and not punishment.
Thank you.
https://www.wisn.com/article/darrell-br ... g/41960865