Roughly 45 victims expected to give impact statements at Darrell Brooks sentencing

 

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The sentencing hearing for Darrell Brooks in the Waukesha Christmas parade massacre starts Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Victims taking the stand have been given strict instructions on how to proceed. 

Roughly 45 victims have impact statements.

We spoke to one of the youngest who says it's not going to be an easy thing to do, but he's ready to join the others in court and let Darrell Brooks know together, Waukesha remains strong.

Tuesday's an important day for roughly 45 victims, including nine children, once again facing Darrell Brooks, the man who killed six, physically injured dozens of others and emotionally scarred an entire community.

Darrell Brooks questioned one witness in court, saying, "Do you recall in your interview with law enforcement that evening stating that you thought it was possibly a gun?"

"Yes," said Christopher Bertram in court on Oct. 21, 2022.

Like the criminal case, the sentencing hearing's also being livestreamed. 

Darrell Brooks questioned another witness, "Do you recall how that SUV looked at that time?"

"It was smashed to smithereens," said Deanne Aldrich, in court on the same date.

Most victims will be reading their impact statements in court, allowed to have one or two people stand beside them for support. 

"Kind of nerve-wracking. I don't think I'll get a lot of sleep tonight, but you know," said Tyler Pudleiner, survivor.

A year later, this high school senior's still nursing an injured leg. Even now, Tyler Pudleiner's having trouble forming the words he'll say in court. He says the statement can't be attacking in nature.

"Obviously with the antics that have been shown across the past month, I'm kind of assuming it'll go in one ear and go right out the other, but at least it'll be said and it'll be somewhat heard," said Pudleiner. 

"That impact statement is their own voice. They weren't allotted a voice when this truck came barreling down in the middle of a parade," said Janice Gorden, with Victims of Milwaukee Violence.

Gorden says reliving that horrible day can send a victim's recovery back to the beginning but writing out their feelings is important in the healing process. 

"Nobody's sure how it's supposed to be done. There's no expert on writing that. Just write and as they're writing, they'll cross out and keep what they want in the statement," said Gorden. 

Pudleiner's memories are vague from the day the red SUV plowed into a crowd full of Christmas revelers on a quaint street in downtown Waukesha, striking the Waukesha band Pudleiner was marching with. 

Pudleiner's established a not-for-profit to benefit those who've experienced trauma. It's called The Bobbleheads Together Project, and for more information, you can email [email protected].

The Darrell Brooks trial was first anticipated to go just two weeks. It stretched to three.

Now, sentencing is expected to last a day-and-a-half.