Darrell Brooks withdraws not guilty by insanity plea
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The man accused of driving his car through the Waukesha Christmas parade withdrew his special plea of not guilty by insanity at a pre-trial hearing on Friday.
Darrell Brooks is charged with killing six people and injuring dozens of others.
"It is his intention to withdraw his NGI plea," the defendant's attorney, Jeremy Perri, said.
If convicted, an NGI plea would mean serving a sentence in a mental health hospital rather than prison.
Judge Jennifer Dorow asked Brooks if this was a sound decision made on his own.
"I have my own reasons why," Brooks said.
Brooks never said what those reasons are.
"I'll find that Mr. Brooks is doing so freely, voluntarily, intelligently, with a full understanding as to the advantages and disadvantages of doing so," Dorow said.
The jury status hearing concluded unexpectedly early on Friday after the defense alerted the judge of a medical issue.
After a delay, Darrell Brooks is back in court for possibly the last time before trial begins on Oct. 3.
— Gabriella Bachara (@GabbyBachara) September 9, 2022
The defense now asking for the jury status hearing be rescheduled because Brooks has a tooth abscess. Also, requesting to withdrawal his NGI plea. @CBS58 pic.twitter.com/W1EyDC9p8E
"It's my understanding that he has a tooth abscess, is feeling pretty unwell today," Perri told the judge.
Brooks requested to return to his jail cell to rest.
Since the defendant wants to assist in the case, his attorneys requested to reconvene another day.
"I just want to ensure this is not a delay tactic, to be very blunt with the court," Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper said.
Opper consulted with victims in the courtroom. They were fine with rescheduling, so long as it didn't delay the trial.
The jury status hearing is rescheduled for Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.
The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 3 and expected to take a month.