'Joy' Replaced By 'Terror': Prosecutors Begin Waukesha Parade Trial

WAUKESHA, WI — The trial of the man accused in the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade attack lurched forward to witnesses Thursday afternoon after prosecutors opened by painting the scene of a community tradition replaced by "terror."

The parade started off normal, "there were dance teams, high school marching bands, local community groups, local businesses... ...the streets were lined with friends and family members and neighbors," said Waukesha Assistant District Attorney Zachary Wittchow in opening.

"There was a true sense of joy in the air," Wittchow said, "Darrell Brooks killed that joy and replaced it with terror, trauma and death."

An 8-year-old boy was the youngest to die after an SUV steered by Brooks barreled through the Nov. 21 parade, according to prosecutors. Six total died, dozens more were injured. Brooks now faces six charges of first-degree intentional homicide, dozens of charges of recklessly endangering safety, and six charges of hit-and-run causing death, according to online court records.

After the prosecution's opening, Judge Jennifer Dorow asked Brooks if he wanted to make an opening statement, but Brooks — representing himself — decided to defer until the defense's turn to introduce witnesses. The trial then moved on to its first witness.

Watch opening statements and the rest of the trial streamed on Youtube from CourtTV.

Brooks spent much of the jury selection process on Monday and Tuesday in the courtroom next door. He had to appear over video conference after Dorow removed him for disruptions.

When Dorow on Thursday morning read aloud the jury instructions, Brooks again appeared by video from the next room and at times held a sign reading "objection."

Dorow eventually welcomed Brooks back into the courtroom Thursday afternoon. Amid back-and-forth with the defendant, Dorow finished reading the jury instructions and over 70 charges aloud. At one point before opening statements Brooks claimed he recognized one of the jurors from pre-trial as someone who "flipped" him off. Dorow mentioned that Brooks did not strike any jurors when given the opportunity, but said a bailiff would talk to the juror. Eventually, Dorow removed Brooks again from the courtroom.

Wittchow began opening statements for the prosecution by 3:30 p.m.

SEE ALSO: Brooks 'On His Own' Headed Into Waukesha Parade Trial, Expert Says

The Associated Press contributed to this report.