The state called nine witnesses Wednesday, and most of the testimony focused on the red SUV.
2 jurors positive for COVID
Judge Jennifer Dorow began the day by informing the court that two jurors had tested positive for COVID-19. The first was justified on Monday. Dorrow said she was informed of a second juror with the same health concern on Wednesday. Before polling each juror about health concerns, Dorow said the courthouse had a new HVAC system with air cleaners and an ultraviolet light system. Additional sanitary facilities and masks were also provided, the judge said.
Darrell Brooks Trial: COVID Concerns for Jurors
A second juror raised concerns about COVID-19 during the Darrell Brooks trial. He was spoken to by the judge on Wednesday, October 19. When polled, none of the remaining jurors reported concerns about COVID-19. The judge suggested plexiglass panels be installed if jurors deemed it necessary. Jurors did not report that it was necessary. After jurors were dismissed from the courtroom, Brooks expressed concern for the jurors, suggesting that every juror be tested for COVID-19. Judge Dorrow said she would not order testing. He also said he would not mandate masks, noting that none of the jurors were wearing them. The judge told Brooks he had not been exposed, in her opinion, because of his distance from the jury. Brooks asked the judge if “it would be smart in the long run” to ensure the jury was not tampered with. Dorrow said no one on the jury had suggested they had been hacked. “I trust my jurors to report if they are unable to participate in the process,” Dorrow said, noting that she would again advise them to do so. “They’ve shown they’re comfortable being there. I would trust them to let me know if anything changes,” Dorow said.
Discussion of Brooks’ presence on the red SUV jury
Also, before jurors returned to the courtroom, Judge Dorrow said she wanted Brooks to be present for the jury’s examination of the red SUV suspected of being used in the attack on the Waukesha Christmas parade. Brooks continued to question why the jury was given this opportunity. The judge said it was evidence. “Do you want to be present at the jury screening?” asked the judge. “I see no reason to be present at it,” answered Brooks. On Tuesday, Judge Dorrow said she would require Brooks to be present, but the judge said he thought more about that decision and changed his mind. “If that’s your decision not to be present for this — you have a right to be in that jury view,” Dorow said. Dorrow noted that the jury’s observation will be recorded on the record “to make sure there is a record of what was done for this trial and for any appellate purposes if needed.” Red SUV left on Maple Road after Waukesha Christmas parade attack Brooks said he did not consent to be present at that grand jury screening. Brooks continued to press, asking why the jury would watch the SUV at all if he didn’t consent to see it himself. The judge stated flatly, “Your lack of consent is not going to stop the jury from taking that view.” Brooks expressed concerns about how he would be safe during the screening, noting the handcuffs he wears in court. The judge said it would be up to the sheriff’s department to secure him, but he would be secured in such a way that things like handcuffs would not be visible to jurors. Dorrow even told Brooks that he would allow him to walk around the vehicle before the jury entered, noting that the jury members would walk around the vehicle once. Brooks asked if she would need to sign a written waiver if she chose not to appear for it, and the judge said she was not going to require it. Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper said that “jury view” was discussed with Brooks’ former attorneys in August. He offered to take Brooks to the red SUV during a break so he could see how things would go if he was present. Before the jury was impaneled, the judge noted a document filed by Brooks that included the heading: “Defendant’s Alleged Jurisdiction Challenge and Mandatory Judicial Notice by Affidavit.” He said he would take it under advisement.
Steven Schlomann, director of information technology in the Waukesha school district
Steven Schlomann, director of IT for the Waukesha School District, was the first state witness to take the stand Wednesday. Schlomann told the court there are about eight cameras on a school district property at 222 Maple. He said he was contacted by Waukesha police about the cameras and whether they had recorded anything on the day of the Waukesha Christmas Parade. Steven Schlomann, director of IT for the Waukesha School District; Schlomann testified that cameras on school district property can record and police asked him to see specific times that day of the parade. Schlomann said he found video that might be useful to police and turned it over to them.
Robert Stone II, homeowner with security camera
Robert Stone II then testified for the state. He lives on Dunbar Avenue and has security cameras. Stone told the court that he retrieved footage from those cameras after the Waukesha Christmas parade incident and turned it over to police. On cross, Brooks asked if Stone saw anything unusual in his footage. “Probably not, no,” Stone said, adding that, “I was asked to see my camera footage.” “Is it pretty much the same thing you’d see if you saw it every day?” Brooks said. “Sure,” Stone said.
Andrew Amerson, homeowner with a security camera
A third person with access to a security camera was next to testify for the state in the Brooks trial. Andrew Amerson lives on Dunbar Avenue and also has surveillance cameras. “My cameras are visible from the street,” Amerson said. “The police wanted to look at them.”
Leonard Miller, homeowner with a security camera
Leonard Miller, another homeowner with a security camera, testified for the state. He lives on Central Avenue. “I started looking through my cameras. I saw someone running my way,” Miller said. “Did you recognize them?” Oper asked. “I didn’t,” Miller replied. Around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, court broke for a brief recess.
Kyle Becker, Waukesha Police Department
Next to take the stand for the state was Waukesha Police Officer Kyle Becker. Prosecutors said he was part of an investigative team searching the area immediately after the Waukesha Christmas parade incident. Becker testified about the items investigators found at a Maple residence, including a blue sandal.
Darrell Brooks Trial: Waukesha Police Officer Testifies About Recovered Evidence
Waukesha Police Officer Kyle Becker testified about evidence recovered as part of the investigation following the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy. The items included a sandal and a sweatshirt believed to belong to Darrell Brooks. “I thought Mr. Brooks lost the first sandal by jumping the fence,” Becker said. “I spotted the gray hoodie that Brooks was wearing in the parade and nearby was the other sandal,” Becker said.
Darrell Brooks Trial: Cross-Examination of Defendant Raises Numerous Objections
Darrell Brooks Trial: Cross-Examination of Defendant Raises Numerous Objections On cross-examination, Brooks asked Becker if the items are “normally kept for that length of time. “Yes. Until the investigation is complete,” Becker said.
The jury sees the red SUV
Around 11:35 a.m., jurors were instructed that they would have an opportunity to view the red SUV connected to this case, which was kept in a secure garage as part of the court complex. Court went into recess at that point while the jury was out.
Brooks trial; a look at the red SUV
Jurors in the trial of Darrell Brooks, the man accused of attacking the Waukesha Christmas parade, got a chance to see the red SUV he allegedly drove through. Here’s what the jury was allowed to see. (Courtesy: CourtTV) NOTE: Despite earlier objections to following the red SUV with the jury, FOX6 News has learned that the defendant did go to the jury’s view of the SUV.
Waukesha Police Detective Justin Rowe
After the break, Waukesha Police Department Detective Justin Rowe took the stand. He was assigned to go to the Maple Avenue area to search for items that Darrell Brooks had dumped. He told Maple, they came across a sandal, and the other was found a short distance away, along with a gray sweatshirt. Rowe testified that he reviewed multiple surveillance videos from the Waukesha school district and the homeowners and was asked about anything significant he saw. “There’s a red blur near the bottom of the road. That’s Darrell Brooks and you’re going to see him cross the road,” Rowe said of one video in particular. Waukesha Police Detective Justin Rowe
Ryan Schultz, Wisconsin State Patrol
Next up for the state was Ryan Schultz, an engineer inspector with the Wisconsin State Patrol. Schultz testified that he looked at the SUV to see if there was anything wrong with it before the crash that would have contributed to its crash. A 10-page crash reconstruction report was submitted by the state as an exhibit. Brooks became upset, noting that this exhibit was unlabeled for him, speaking under his breath. The judge had to tell the jury to ignore his statements. Schultz testified that he was asked to come to the state crime lab for inspections of the red SUV. “The vehicle had quite a bit of damage to the front end, the hood folded in the air, there was quite a bit of debris stuck to it…” he said. Schultz said the SUV’s brakes were in “good, working condition” and the brakes still worked “fully…
