Darrell Brooks found guilty in Waukesha Christmas Parade attacks, ending weekslong trial

Almost a year after a devastating attack on a hallowed city tradition, a jury convicted Darrell Brooks Jr. of killing six people and injuring dozens of others by driving through the 2021 Christmas parade.

After being sequestered Tuesday night after about 90 minutes of deliberations, the jury announced it had verdicts early Wednesday. Judge Jennifer Dorow began reading them shortly before 11 a.m., beginning with the first-degree intentional homicide counts. It took her about 25 minutes to read the guilty verdicts on all 76 charges.

Outside of the courtroom, people wearing blue Waukesha Strong sweatshirts had gathered ahead of the verdicts announcements, heads bowed in silent prayer.

Brooks, 40, who had represented himself at trial, didn't react much as the verdicts were read. He mostly put his head in his folded hands, with his elbows on the table.