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XPost: sac.politics

In article <s6alc8$osq$[email protected]>
[email protected] wrote:

Lincoln fucked up when he failed to send the black animals back to Africa.

WAUKESHA, Wis. -- A judge decided Wednesday to allow a Wisconsin
man accused of killing six people and injuring dozens more when
he allegedly drove his SUV through a Christmas parade represent
himself at trial, finding that he suffers from a personality
disorder and faces an uphill fight against an experienced
prosecutorial team but is mentally competent.

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow's decision leaves
Darrell Brooks in the unusual position of defending himself
against a score of charges, including six counts of intentional
homicide. His trial is scheduled to begin Monday with jury
selection.

Brooks has a high school equivalency diploma but did not attend
college. Dorow said he has a constitutional right to act as his
own attorney if he's mentally competent.

Dorow said she reviewed evaluations four psychologists conducted
of Brooks and agreed with their findings that while he has a
personality disorder and is disruptive, he is intelligent and
articulate enough to defend himself. She warned him that he will
have problems understanding the rules of evidence, when to
object to rulings and how to examine witnesses without any
training, but she can't stand in his way.

"This court has warned Mr. Brooks what he's getting into," Dorow
said.

SEE MORE: Waukesha parade suspect asks to represent himself;
attorney files motion to withdraw from case

According to prosecutors and investigators, Brooks drove his SUV
through a Christmas parade in downtown Waukesha on Nov. 21. He
refused commands to stop and kept driving, running people down,
even as police officers shot at his vehicle, according to a
criminal complaint.

He would face life in prison if convicted of any of the homicide
charges. He faces 71 additional counts, including 61 counts of
felony reckless endangerment. Each one of those counts carries a
maximum sentence of 12 1/2 years in prison. Those counts also
have a use-of-a-dangerous-weapon penalty enhancer, which would
add another five years on each count.

He initially pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease but
withdrew that plea earlier this month and filed a motion seeking
to represent himself. He told Dorow in court on Tuesday that his
public defenders, Jeremy Perri and Anna Kees, haven't explained
the nature of the charges to him.

Dorow questioned him repeatedly about whether he understood what
he was doing, to which Brooks insisted that he was aware but
didn't understand. Dorow grew so frustrated with him that she
adjourned the hearing and continued it Wednesday.

Their exchanges were just as combative on Wednesday. Brooks
constantly interrupted Dorow as she tried to explain the
ramifications of his decision again and warned him that she
likely wouldn't assign an attorney to the case if he asks for
one as the trial progresses.

The judge warned him that if he continues to interrupt during
the trial, she will admonish him in front of the jury.

"That's fine," Brooks responded.

The video in the player above was featured in an earlier report.

https://abc7chicago.com/waukesha-parade-trial-wi-wisconsin- darrell-brooks/12279210/

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