Darrell Brooks sentenced to 9 years for Milwaukee domestic violence charges; added to life sentences from Waukesha parade attack

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The man serving six life sentences for his violent attack at the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade appeared in Milwaukee County court Thursday afternoon, Sept. 5. 

Darrell Brooks was sentenced to 9 years in prison for recklessly endangering safety and victim intimidation.

That is added to his six life sentences in Waukesha County.

Thursday's sentencing is for an incident in Milwaukee on Nov. 2, 2021, just weeks before Brooks made his attack at the parade.

Prosecutors said he began arguing with the mother of two of his children, chasing her down and punching her, before intentionally running over her leg with his truck.

After he was charged, Brooks called her from jail, threatening her if she didn't try to drop the case.

"Mr. Brooks is the epitome of a domestic violence abuser. Someone who when you think you have them locked up, they're offending and controlling," said Atty. Matthew Torbenson with the State of Wisconsin.

Brooks was emotional in court Thursday and said he has been growing over the last three years while serving his life sentences.

"I take responsibility for my actions fully. I'm not going to hide behind anything," Brooks told the judge.

Judge Michelle Havas praised him for his politeness in court, and for avoiding trial in this case by pleading no contest, but she called his dangerous behavior "outrageous."

"I very much hope you're on the path that you describe because you likely have a very long life ahead of you," Havas said, referring to his life sentences from Waukesha.

Judge Havas ordered Brooks have absolutely no contact with the victim in this case.

She made it clear that this 9-year prison sentence is solely based on the domestic violence case itself, and not related at all to the Waukesha attack.