It was disturbing images that spread on social networks last year: An SUV crashed into a pre-Christmas street parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Six people died and almost 50 others were injured. The youngest victim was only eight years old.
The death driver Darrell B. has been on trial since last week. The 40-year-old represents himself and asked before the trial began to dismiss his public defenders, as reported by the Associated Press news agency, among others. The judge responsible had therefore reviewed the assessments of four psychologists about B. and agreed with their results that although he had a personality disorder and was disruptive, he was intelligent and articulate enough to defend himself.
But it is precisely this personality disorder that is likely to put those involved in the process to a hard test. Because on the first day of the trial, the judge had to have the accused removed from the courtroom because he kept interrupting the judge. From an adjoining room he could watch on video and could only be heard by those present if she activated his microphone.
When the witnesses were due to be heard for the first time on Thursday, he interrupted the judge at least a dozen times before the jury was brought into the courtroom. Once again, she had bailiffs take him to another courtroom. There he removed his prison shirt and sat on the defense table with his back to the camera. He tucked a sign in the front of his trousers, telling him to hold it up to the camera to signal his objections.
Darrell B. faces 76 counts, including six counts of first-degree first degree murder. Each of these charges carries a life sentence. When he rushed into the pre-Christmas parade that afternoon on November 21, he had previously argued with his then-girlfriend. Before the police could reach the scene of the domestic dispute, he fled in his SUV. As he approached the roadblock, he ignored a police officer who tried to force him to stop with a smack on the hood. Another officer fired three shots at his SUV, but B. just sped on and shortly thereafter into the crowd.
The 40-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to a mental illness, but withdrew that plea without explanation and pleaded not guilty. District Attorney Susan Opper believes Brooks’ antics were aimed at delaying the trial. For example, records of his calls from prison would show that he discusses his case with several people each day. “These actions are intentional and premeditated and they have escalated. He’s trying to derail the process and delay the inevitable,” Opper said.
Quellen: Associated Press I, CNN
