'Let's cut the crap': Jury selected in Darrell Brooks trial after second disruptive day
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A jury was seated in the Waukesha Christmas parade trial on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
The jurors took the oath to serve after two days of questioning.
The panel consists of 10 men and six women, all of them appear to be white.
Jury is empaneled.
— Gabriella Bachara (@GabbyBachara) October 4, 2022
10 men
6 women
12 will decide the case, 4 alternates @CBS58
Twelve of the jury members will decide the case, four will serve as alternates.
Each side was given 10 peremptory strikes.
The prosecution and defense took turns striking jurors until 16 remained.
Darrell Brooks, who is representing himself, forfeited eight of his peremptory strikes by crossing off every juror on the list.
The court selected eight jurors to strike from a random lottery. Brooks struck two.
Brooks participated from a spare courtroom after being removed for repeated interruptions.
The spare room is connected to the main courtroom through audio and video technology.
Judge Jennifer Dorow muted Brooks for a majority of the process.
"Let's cut the crap," Brooks said after accusing Dorow of lying and ignoring him.
On some turns, Brooks would refuse to fill out the sheet or give it back to the bailiff.
"You can't hold the sheet hostage," Dorow said.
Jurors were removed from the room during this process to "protect Brooks' dignity."
Brooks was invited back into the courtroom for the announcement of the selected jurors.
"We already know what will happen if I come over," Brooks said.
Brooks told the judge he doesn't intend to "pass the jury."
Dorow said she was unfamiliar with that term.
The jury will be partially sequestered. They return on Thursday morning.
Brooks walked into Tuesday's proceedings with a disruptive attitude.
"You stating things even in a mild mannered tone of voice doesn’t change the fact that we've had a dozen or more interruptions by you and by you alone," Dorow said. "When you don't like the answer I give, even if it’s a nonresponse, you continue to ask the same question over and over. You repeat yourself."
The defendant questioned the judge's name and inquired if there were any claims against him, as he did on Monday.
"Mr. Brooks, I'm not going to play this game with you today. I'm not going to answer it. I know you want to interrupt this proceeding with those types of questions," Dorow said.
Brooks moved to stay the trial. The judge denied the request.
Brooks clarified he identifies as sovereign, not a sovereign citizen, as previously noted.
Dorow removed Brooks from the courtroom at 9 a.m. after warnings to stop interrupting.
"I demand dignity, order and decorum," Dorow said.
Brooks accused Dorow of being unconstitutional.
Attorney Julius Kim told CBS 58 the court needs to balance keeping order and protecting Brooks' rights.
"It's important that they're still able to listen to his concerns and his objections, but also be able to filter out what's just noise and what are legitimate questions," Kim said.
Dorow has made a point to be thorough with the record on when and how Brooks is being disruptive.
She also unmutes or brings Brooks back into the room when his behavior improves.
"She's doing that because she wants to keep affording him the opportunity to be physically present in the courtroom," Kim said.
Brooks declined nearly every time he was asked to come back in the room.
"Don't require that," Brooks said. "I don't want to come over."
Brooks could be seen doing a variety of things in the other room from reading the Bible to taking notes.
Some of these actions were done in front of the jurors.
Kim said jurors may have different feelings about his actions.
"I still think despite the fact Mr. Brooks might be in a different courtroom or might be acting out, that good, competent and qualified jurors could make a good decision on this case," Kim said.
Jurors were told not to make a decision based on Brooks being in a separate room.
Brooks' former public defender, Attorney Anna Kees, watched via Zoom on Wednesday.
Opening statements will begin Thursday, Oct. 6.