Waukesha parade attack; Darrell Brooks withdraws insanity plea

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Darrell Brooks, the man accused in the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack, was in court Friday, Sept. 9. He withdrew his insanity plea in the case.

"I have my own reasons why," Brooks said of withdrawing his not guilty by mental disease or defect plea. He did not explain further.

Brooks was scheduled for a jury status hearing to get things in line ahead of his October trial. That hearing was pushed back to Sept. 19 after defense attorneys said Brooks has an infected tooth.

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"I just want to ensure this is not a delay tactic, to be very blunt with the court," said Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper.

"To your knowledge, is the tooth abscess being addressed appropriately by the jail?" Judge Jennifer Dorow asked.

"I was informed it’s been diagnosed as a tooth abscess," answered Defense Attorney Jeremy Perri.

Friday's hearing was to get details in order ahead of the October trial, such as what evidence can be presented – Brooks' criminal history, types of questions attorneys can ask jurors and how and where jurors can view evidence, like the SUV that went through the parade route.

Judge Dorow agreed to push back the hearing despite an already packed schedule.

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The delay Friday comes after Brooks had an outburst in court last month during which he was removed from the courtroom. 

Brooks is charged with more than 80 counts connected to the November 2021 incident in Waukesha, including six counts of first-degree intentional homicide.

Brooks also has pending Milwaukee County court cases and is due in court there next week.