Waukesha Christmas parade suspect's mother expresses concerns in handwritten letter to judge

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Waukesha Christmas parade attack suspect's mother filed a handwritten letter addressed to Judge Jennifer Dorow on Wednesday.

"I'm not sure if this is right or proper, but I have to try anyway," Dawn Woods said. "I am asking you to please, please do not let him represent himself."

The nine-page letter from Darrell Brooks' mother is dated Sept. 27, 2022.

Woods said she was writing to the judge because she is "deeply concerned" about what happened in court on Tuesday.

This comes after Brooks told the court he wants to represent himself.

Dorow gave Brooks a blank waiver of attorney form to sign and file by 9 a.m. on Wednesday if he is serious about moving forward without attorneys.

The form was filed just before the deadline, according to online court records.

The defendant's mother said she speaks with Brooks daily, and could tell he is becoming unstable.

"I don't know if you're a mom, but moms always know when something isn’t right," Woods said.

Woods said she called her son's attorneys Jeremy Perri and Anna Kees with concerns about Brooks' mental health one month ago.

"Maybe different attorneys would help if that's possible or maybe his attorneys need a different approach," Woods said.

Brooks' mother said she has tried to reason with her son about his wish to represent himself. She said he is not "mentally stable" enough.

"P.S. I know he will not be happy that I wrote you and become angry. I hope one day [he] will understand I did it out of love," Woods said.

Trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, Oct. 3.