Prosecution presents opening statement, questions first witnesses in Waukesha Christmas Parade Trial

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- After days of hearing a lot from the defendant in the Waukesha Christmas Parade trial, it's the prosecutor's turn to present the facts of the case.

Darrell Brooks is facing 76 charges, including six counts of first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly driving through the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Nov. 21, 2021.

The state called its first two witnesses on Thursday.

The first, Sgt. David Wanner of the Waukesha Police Department (WPD) testified about the department's role at the parade, what he witnessed and how he responded.

"I could see the operator of a vehicle in a, just a dazed straight focus, look straight ahead, not looking at anyone," Wanner said.

The sergeant told the state he didn't see people getting hit but could hear it.

"It was the most terrible thing I ever heard," Wanner said.

The second witness, Kori Runkel, was Brooks' former girlfriends' roommate at a women's shelter.

Runkel testified she was present when Brooks and his former girlfriend were fighting ahead of the parade incident.

Video of their interaction was put into evidence by the state.

Earlier in the afternoon, Assistant District Attorney Zach Wittchow presented the state's opening statement.

"There was a true sense of joy in the air. Darrell Brooks killed that joy, replaced it with terror, trauma, and death," Wittchow said.

The statement outlined how the prosecution plans to present its case to the jury.

"We are going to present evidence to you over the next several days in chronological phases in order of events from start to end," Wittchow said.

Wittchow said it starts with a domestic violence incident between the defendant and his former girlfriend before the Waukesha Christmas Parade.

"He argued with her and he harassed her and he punched her in the face," Wittchow said. "The thing about a swollen eye is it's tough to fake."

Wittchow said the jurors will hear testimony from victims, first responders and experts.

"I'll tell you right now, you're not going to hear from all of them. It wouldn't make sense. It's not necessary. We intend to present the evidence to you in an efficient and streamlined way," Wittchow said.

Wittchow said verbal, physical and digital evidence will prove how six people were killed on the day of the parade.

The defense deferred its opening statement until the state rests its case.

"I need a little more adequate time to make sure I go over the points I need to make," Brooks said.

Brooks is representing himself.

Now on day four of trial, the defendant is making a habit of coming to court with a disruptive behavior.

Brooks wore his jail issued clothing in court on Thursday.

"I would like you to appear in street clothes, and the reason why, sir, is to reduce or even eliminate even the appearance that you are in custody," Dorow said.

The judge gave Brooks multiple opportunities to return to the cell to change into the suit he wore on the first two days of the trial.

"It is my right to do so or not do so, and at this point, your honor, who doesn't know that I'm in custody," Brooks said.

Brooks later said he is waiting to receive his COVID-19 test results before he dresses up for trial again.

"You being in a suit and a tie or other street clothing, I think, also lends to the dignity of the proceedings," Dorow said.

Brooks was removed from the main courtroom within ten minutes of the hearing Thursday morning.

"He has shown a complete and utter disrespect for the simple rules of civility," Dorow said.

Brooks took his shirt off in the spare courtroom.

"At one point, he took off a shoe, and it appeared to the deputies that he was going to throw the shoe. You can see that he is seated with his back to the court or to the camera," Dorow said. "He took his shirt off, as well. I'm also told that he is threatening to throw and break items."

Brooks also requested medical attention for a small cut and bruise.

The judge said deputies reported to her a lack of blood and Brooks' refusal to show them the injury.

Brooks refused to move forward with proceedings until he could be seen by a nurse.

"You just said a while ago on the record that you did not see blood. That's because I wiped it on my pants, and you can still see the blood in the cut and a big bruise right here on my arm," Brooks said.

The judge allowed Brooks to get medical attention during the lunch break.

Brooks also told the judge he believed one of the jurors flipped him off twice at his initial appearance.

The civilian bailiff confirmed the juror did not attend any of Brooks' previous proceedings.

The prosecution addressed concerns about the defendant's mental competency.

Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper said the state is thoroughly convinced Brooks is competent to proceed to trial and his mental capacity is not reduced in any fashion.

"These are deliberate actions on his part as we get closer, and closer, and closer to actually presenting this case to a jury that he is attempting to derail these proceedings and avoid the inevitable," Opper said.

Opper told the court the trial needs to proceed for justice to the victims who patiently sat through these hearings.

The judge agreed with the state's comments.

"It's very clear to this court that everything he has done as outlined by the state and as made evident on the record of these proceedings, that it is the sole intent of Mr. Brooks to make a mockery of this process," Dorow said. "I am not going to tolerate it."

Brooks pulled his conduct together by the end of the hearing.

Dorow commended Brooks for asking to return to the courtroom, as well as, asking meaningful questions during cross examination.

Brooks thanked the judge.

Jurors sat through about three hours of preliminary jury instructions Thursday afternoon. The judge had 69 pages.

The state will call more witnesses and introduce new evidence on Friday.

Watch below: