Darrell Brooks, man accused of killing 6 in Waukesha parade, pleads not guilty to all charges
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Darrell Brooks, the suspect in the Waukesha parade attack, was in court Friday morning, Feb. 11.
Brooks was formally arraigned on the 77 charges he faces and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
"We can enter pleas of not guilty this morning," Brooks' attorney said.
Brooks is charged with killing six and injuring more than 60 others when he drove through the Waukesha Christmas parade.
JUST IN: Darrell Brooks formally pleads not guilty to all charges in Waukesha parade attack.
— Kristen Barbaresi (@KristenBarbar) February 11, 2022
He faces 77 counts.
He’ll be back in court March 11. pic.twitter.com/Z8QffONgx6
The hearing comes a day after the defense filed two motions. The first was a request for a new judge. The case was assigned to Judge Michael Bohren, but the request for substitution was granted. Judge Jennifer Dorow will now hear the case.
The defense also filed a motion for a change of venue, requesting Brooks' trial be held outside of Waukesha County or that jury be selected from outside the county.
"An impartial trial cannot be held in Waukesha County," the motion states. "The effects of this incident on the Waukesha community, and its collective response, are so profound and pervasive."
The defense says not only are there 67 victims, but more than 67 businesses participated in the parade and thousands watched. And after the attack, dozens of businesses held fundraisers for the victims and thousands donated.
"The diverse group of victims indicates many cross-sections of the community were both directly and indirectly affected by this case," the motion states.
Brooks' attorneys also cited the widespread media coverage of the attack and Brooks' court hearings.
The motion also requests that the jury be sequestered during trial.
The motion was not discussed at Friday's hearing. It was filed late Thursday and the state has not had a chance to file a response yet.
Brooks will be back in court in Waukesha on March 11. He also has a hearing in a separate case in Milwaukee on Feb. 18.