Starting the day, the prosecution team noted that there was one more victim witness statement requested from Virginia Sorenson’s granddaughter. Her testimony on Tuesday was interrupted by court clearance due to a threat to the courthouse. The court agreed to allow this young girl to speak – and this statement was read to the court once again. When questioned, Brooks indicated to the court that four people would be speaking on his behalf – all via Zoom. Dawn Woods, Brooks’ mother, spoke first. He started by talking about mental illness – that it affects everyone. Woods called it “the dirty little secret in families that they don’t want to talk about.”

Darrell Brooks sentencing: Dawn Woods, Brooks’ mother, addresses the court

Darrell Brooks sentencing: Dawn Woods, Brooks’ mother, addresses the court Woods then read to the court the poem, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” written by Maya Angelou. Woods told Judge Dorow that she hoped it would give her son some inspiration. Woods concluded by addressing the families of the victims of the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy. “To the families who have lost loved ones and those who have suffered injuries, I know their pain. And I pray that the Lord will continue to comfort and heal each of them,” Woods said. Brooks’ grandmother, Mary Edwards, spoke next on Darrell’s behalf. “I want to offer my sincere apologies to those who were hurt,” Edwards said. “I expect my grandson will apologize and ask God for forgiveness.” Mary Edwards, Darrell Brooks’ grandmother Michelle Allworth, a longtime friend of Brooks’, spoke next. She called Brooks her best friend – after knowing him for 17 years. “He shared with me many times how remorseful he really is,” Allworth said.

Brooks’ statement to the court

It was around 12:35 p.m. that Brooks himself was allowed to address the court. He began by standing up in front of the court, looking up and quoting scripture. “There was a lot of reference to one of the things I said that my conscience is clear. Having had time to think about it last night, the victims have a right to feel how they want to feel. They have a right to their opinions – – a lot of anger and emotions,” Brooks said. “I don’t want this comment to be taken out of context; I made the decision to rededicate my life to Christ when this tragedy happened.” Brooks took notes during victim impact statements Tuesday. “One of the victims made a comment trying to figure out why this happened. That’s a question I struggle with myself. The why, the how,” Brooks said. “How can life go so far from what it should be? Regardless of what many people may think of me—who I am, family, beliefs, I know who I am. God knows who I am. “ Brooks told the court he has no angry words. “I had to look inside and understand why the comments were made,” Brooks said. Brooks referred to the surgical mask he wore throughout the trial. He told the court he had nothing to do with hiding anything. “When you’re on TV every day, when your life is being analyzed and your family is on TV and on social media platforms, what can you hide from?” Brooks said. Brooks then addressed all the victims of the Waukesha Christmas Parade – as well as the people of Waukesha. “Not only am I sorry for what happened, I’m sorry you couldn’t see what’s truly in my heart,” Brooks said. “In terms of how they see me, I will not respond to these comments with anger. I also want to say that, it is not me who can take away the pain, replace what was lost, give joy, happiness – so many other things were lost that day.” Brooks spoke about the frustration he said he felt during his trial. “I have been disappointed at times. I want you, Judge Dorow, to know that no matter what you may think of these incidents, they were not personal. Being here, all this year, constantly learning how to deal with everything, take everything , everything you see, hear, things that scream at you — the threats and everything you have to deal with just being here. It was a highlight,” Brooks said. “There was a part of me that felt like I couldn’t stand up for myself. I think that was just the pot boiling over.” Brooks told the court that people will believe what they want – and that’s fine. “This needs to be said. What happened on November 21, 2021 was not, no, it was not an attack. It was not planned, it was not planned,” Brooks said. “This was not an attack. It was not an intentional act. No matter how many times you say it over and over again, it wasn’t.” Brooks told the court he initially planned to attack Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper during that statement. But he chose not to after considering the idea. “You said 31 years that you did this. 31 years. Hmm. I don’t think you’re that smart. However, I respect you for having the determination to take on something of this magnitude for this community. I can’t help but respect that,” he said. Brooks. Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper Brooks mentioned receiving letters and notes from all over the world. He said he has received letters from Germany and Belgium. Many of those letters spewed hatred for Brooks’ actions, he said. But there were also letters of support. “The people who sent letters of support, thank you for that, it’s not easy to send to the most hated man on earth. Thank you for that. My family thanks you for that,” Brooks said. Brooks also singled out the recognition of Erica Patterson, mother of his daughter. “I want you to know that I will always have love for you. I refuse to go down that path. I always have love for you. I always respect you. We have a beautiful daughter. I wasn’t always right about you,” Brooks said. Brooks also spoke emotionally about his daughter. “She’s probably the only reason I’m still breathing. Such a light, such a light. She doesn’t even understand what’s going on, so she can talk to me when she wants to, see me — she doesn’t understand. I know,” Brooks said. Brooks said there were multiple references to the death during Tuesday’s victim impact statements. He stated that he is not afraid of death – and is sure of his fate in the afterlife. “I’m a million percent sure where I’m going when this is over. I’m a million percent sure where I’m going,” Brooks said. “I’m human. I’m not a monster. I’m a human being who has been trying to understand for 35 years questions that I never got the answer to.” Brooks said he heard from all the victims who had the courage to speak Tuesday. “I apologize for not showing people what they wanted to see. I ask that there be an understanding of…that there is a side of the courtroom that is not seen,” Brooks said. “There’s not a day or an hour that goes by that I haven’t thought about what happened. Where I didn’t try to wrap my head around how this could have happened. Where I haven’t thought about the pain that everything is inside. What was lost and the fashion that was lost.” Brooks said – he will do what he can to press forward and pray for the Waukesha community. “As hard as it is, you can’t turn back the hands of time. As much as I wish I had the power to do it, I can’t. I have to look forward in life, not backward,” Brooks said. . “I’m over the real tragedy of November 21st, 2021. But I’m not over lifting this community up in prayer. The victims and the families. I’ll continue to pray for them. That’s what I want my heart to think.” Late in Brooks’ statement to the court, Judge Dorrow asked Brooks what the court should do about the sentences. “Honestly, your honor, I don’t want this to be taken out of context — I think there are issues that I’m trying to answer this,” Brooks said. “I’m still confused about the true nature and cause of the charges. I don’t understand them. I also believe the decision was already made before we even got here. I could be wrong, this is not a slight or a shot at you Honor.” When pressed again on how the judge should approach Brooks’ sentencing, he paused before answering. “I think I should be able to go somewhere where I can be helped and helped and get proper medication,” Brooks said. “You have people who know exactly what to do. Exactly what needs to be done and what needs to be done. So that you can get the right medication. It’s extremely necessary.” FOX6 News will update this post as new statements or information is provided.

Victim impact statements on Tuesday

On Tuesday, 45 victims and survivors shared powerful personal accounts of how the attack affected them at the first of two sentencing hearings for Brooks. The statements of dozens of victims and family members were full of emotion. “You have the audacity to say your conscience is clear. That’s why you hear the term monster; demon,” said Chris Owen, Lee Owen’s son. “I know why you did that. You did it because you weren’t caged… All I can ask is that you rot and rot slowly.” “You said you’re a godly man. You’re not. A real man would have stopped and asked for forgiveness – pure evil and not kidding anybody,” said Donald Tiegs, father of Eric who was injured with the Waukesha South Marching Band. . “Every holiday, there’s always going to be an empty chair where Jackson should be…It hurts to breathe sometimes…I’m emotionally and physically exhausted,” said Sheri Sparks, mother of Jackson and Tucker. He concluded by adding: “Jackson is the…