Wide range of emotions for families and community as parade verdict sinks in

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Reaction to the Waukesha parade verdict came quickly from both inside and outside the courthouse Wednesday. And it ranged from anger to relief to vindication.

The trial forced many people in the community to relive the traumatic events of what happened almost a year ago. After the verdict was read, there were tears and hugs, but also smiles and shouts.

One woman was choked up as she said, "We’re just happy the verdict came in guilty on everything."

Emotions were raw outside the courthouse after the jury found Darrell Brooks guilty on all counts.

Laurie Hogeland said she knew several of the victims. She said when the verdict was read, "It was a brief moment of relief, but then all the pain comes back."

For the Waukesha community, it was another small step in the healing process.

Ginny Sorensen's family said justice was served. In the courtroom, her son Marshall held a locket with her ashes inside. He said, "She was with us today."

Victims and families spoke briefly afterward. Ginny's family said they'd been waiting for this day for a long time.

Marshall Sorensen said, "She always said, 'angels watch over you guys.' So I just want to say angels watch over you guys and turn on those blue lights tonight."

High schooler Tyler Pudleiner has mostly healed from his physical injuries. He said the verdict was another step in healing the emotional ones. "We're stronger than him and it's been proven today. It's just another step forward in the process."

The courtroom was packed when the verdict was read and an overflow crowd spilled into the hallway.

Troy Birk was one of the people in the hallway. He choked up as he explained why he felt he needed to be there: "I've lived here my whole life."

It took a while to read all 76 verdicts, but each represented a life changed forever.

Birk said, "At the end, when they were naming the victims' names, that was quite emotional."

Hogeland knew three of the people killed. She said, "Each one of those people means something. Their lives matter."

Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson coped with the tragedy both personally and professionally and said the attack does not define the community. He said, "It refined us in our resolve, in our strength, and in being Waukesha strong."

Chief Thompson says there are two days the city of Waukesha will never forget: Nov. 21^st, the day of the parade, and Oct. 26^th, when justice was served.

He thanked the community and praised the resiliency of the families that were impacted.

Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly also reacted to the verdict with a statement, saying the trial has forced many people to re-live the trauma of that day.

But he added despite difficult circumstances, the city has shown the world how wonderful it is.

The statement went on to read: "As a community, we still have a long road ahead filled with difficult days. This will be especially true as we approach the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. However, as we have experienced the past year, we know that when we stand together, we remain Waukesha Strong."

Some people are still healing, like Amber Kohnke's daughter Jessalyn. Amber said, "It's been amazing to see how wonderful this community has been, to pull together."

But others may never heal.

Three members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies were killed, along with the husband of another member. In a social media post, the group wrote: "We need time to take this all in, process, grieve, and regroup.  This has been a long emotional road, wounds have been reopened, as there is a fraction of relief, [but] trauma is still real."

Attorney Paul Bucher served as the Waukesha County District Attorney for many years. He has extensive experience working with victims and said this case has taken a significant toll. "I don't like to use the word closure that much, because I don't think this is closure for the families. It gives them some finality to the justice system, but closure will never happen for those families who have lost their loved ones."

Hogeland said she doesn't feel a lot of closure because so many people have to move forward without their loved ones.

Each victim and family member that spoke after the verdict thanked the District Attorney's office and the victim witness advocate for their help in securing justice.