LIVE! Real Lawyer Reacts: Darrell Brooks Sentencing Recap Day 2, Waukesha Parade Trial 

I've never hated a a stranger until I stumbled upon Darrell Brooks. Rolling his eyes, sarcastically clapping his hands, mockingly patting his heart while the victims were speaking, all of that really got to me yesterday. I actually felt legitimate hate for this guy after that.

I hope DA Opper knows what a great job she did. It was a great TEAM effort!!❤

He has apologized previously to the judge for his behavior with the same results. He isn't contrite, just manipulative. It would seem that this is the pattern of his entire life.

Today was Judge Dorow’s day! She finally gets to say what we all needed to hear from her. Conclusion. Resolution. Sentence. Praise Jesus!

💙 Judge Dorow is worthy of the title Your Honor. What an incredible example of integrity, compassion, and professionalism. #bigfanofjustice

I got second hand embarrassment when that mom refused to acknowledge what happened as an attack or murder. Just as I thought she has never held him accountable for anything.

I'm mesmerised by this woman. Not only by her professionalism, fairness, patience but as a human being in whole. I loved her sentencing speech

Love how the Green Bay defensive line descends on Darrell at the end to march him off to the rest of his life.

I think his lack of swearing in the courtroom shows how calculated his outbursts were during the trial.

Also, kudos to Judge Dorrow for ordering no contact with the victims OR with Erica Patterson. She went out of her way to not only help the victims of this attack, but help Erica as a DV victim. She offered words of comfort, wisdom, and advice. I like that she told Tyler Sparks “it’s not your fault. It’s Darrell Brooks’ fault.” I bet he needed to hear that.

He is uncontrollable. He can’t understand human loss. He feels like a victim, when he is the cause of all this terrible tragedy. He is disturbed.

I’m from Waukesha - I’ve really appreciated your coverage of this trial. Thank you, Peter! 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

He didn't apologize. He said he was sorry for what happened to the victims - not that he was sorry for what he did to them!

He tried to DRIVE OVER THIS JUDGE AND COURT with his nonsensical blabbering !!! He didnt even bump this Judge A strong woman who held her cool until sentence today. I love her and believe she is a HERO

The fact that he missed the vehicles to hit the people!😤

I think her kindness to the victims especially Erika was touching and she was trying to help the victims move on. Telling the girl victim to follow her dreams. Nick for saving Erika’s life and that no one else should feel responsible for any of the attack he done 😢

My niece is Jessalyn Torres. My sister and 4 of her children walked in the parade. It was the first year in 5 years I didn't walk with my children in the parade with the dance team. My kids and I were there and seen everything. I appreciate your coverage of this trial and how you always kept a neutral opinion. We are happy with how this ended and I believe our community can now move forward together with some justice at our backs.

He didn't drop tears for the victims. He dropped eye rolls

Judge Darrow was certainly Vindicated today. She wasn't being 'too nice'... she was taking notes. I just love how she wound things up. She 'nailed his ass' (movie reference, Guss Petch, Intolerable Cruelty)

That wasn't even a minute of an apology! That was about 8 Seconds of an apology followed by "I'm sorry you don't see how sad I think you think I'm supposed to be. *Poor me, poor me, poor me!* "

Commissary is HUGE in jail. My husband works in corrections and honey buns are truly like GOLD in custody. Taking commissary is often the ONLY consequence that conforms their behavior whatsoever.

"Not only am I sorry for what happened..." It didn't "happen", you did it and you did it on purpose. That's no apology at all.

Judge Dorrow is spectacular!! She showed so much honor to each victim. It was nice to see her be done with DB. I hope and pray that all those effected by the attack feel a bit of relief and can really start healing!!

I love how she said at the very end that Mr. B will be provided with an explanation of his sentences "which he can read at his convenience". Oh, he'll have lots and lots of time to read it. So funny! She said the court would fill out the captions for his appeal paperwork. I wonder if she will insist that it be all in CAPs!

The judge's composure and control during this whole trial has been unbelievable. I know she didn't do everything exactly like others think she should have, but I think she did the best she could have possibly done considering the circumstances. And I think she handled the sentencing perfectly. She let him go on for two hours because she was waiting to see if he would actually show any remorse at all. And her comments and evaluation of him was SPOT ON. She knows he is just pure evil and should never be released.

He thought he could backtrack on the not guilty by insanity and get sent to hospital and be out in 15 years...that's what he wanted.... It felt good to see Judge Dorow in her element without being disrupted by Brookes. Her thought processes etc. Loved how now the record is preserved, she focussed on the community and helping them heal by giving them justice. Also she made sure the world knows Brookes is not crazy, but knows exactly what he was doing and can control himself when he wants to.

I drove from Lakeland to Leesburg and then back to Lakeland and he was still rambling. He acted like he was getting an award. Thanking everyone. Unbelievably!

I was bullied my entire childhood, I have only one friend and that's a one sided thing she talks I listen. I'm boring so people leave. I grew up poor I never say that my mum says You don't realise it, but think about all the times we used the smallest coins to pay for food all the times the electricity just happened to only go out in our apartment. My mum worked hard I was a latch key kid and I liked it. It just showed me that I have to make sure to always have a little money on the side so I'm never hungry again and make sure to respect her for her hard work. It doesn't make me wanna kill people.

I was so moved by seeing Judge Dorow break down. I can't imagine how challenging it had to be to hold it all together during the testimony phases of this trial. I was not surprised at all by DB's behavior or anything he said today. He has proven to the world that he simply cannot be redeemed or rehabilitated. I hate thinking there is no hope for some people, but I think he is hopeless. I'm embarrassed for anyone who has ever been associated with him and I'm discouraged to see how enabling his mother and grandmother have obviously been his whole life. They are not really in touch with reality at all. Darrell Brooks deserves every minute of every year he got in the sentence handed down today. Thank you, again Peter for breaking this down for us and helping us to understand what was a very emotional and confusing case.💙💙💙💙💙💙

The 2022 Waukesha Christmas Parade is on Sunday 4 December. It will be live on TMJ4 News. And yes the Dancing Grannies will be in the parade ♥️

My heart goes out to the victims and their families.

I can't believe his audacity to ask for time served.

The part where DB read the scripture talking about not being forgiven by Jesus if you don't forgive, actually had me yelling at my tv. It is such a strong statement from their community that no one yelled during his entire pity party. Judge Dorow was amazing. Thanks for all your coverage, Peter, you are one of my fav spots on youtube.

That judge deserves a long break. I have no clue how she didn’t break before it was over. I think she did a great job.

The way DB kept waving at her, still trying to interrupt the judge. He thought he could control her, but found out he couldn't. I'm so glad she totally ignored him, he hates that so much. Despicable.

He lost it when the judge praised Erika for her “grace.”

Put him in population!!!!!!!! Please!!!!!!!!!

He was waving the sign to come back, gets brought back and not even there 1 minute and demands to go back. Gets kicked out and then starts the whole thing over with waving the sign to come back. GAMES

You could clearly see he even had a hard time giving that pathetic apology. He just knew he had to give some kind of apology because the judge made that point when he was apologizing to her. He did not want to have to apologize at all and that was very clear though out the trial.

I tried watching Rikeita Law. What a bunch of negative Nancy’s. They kept tell the judge to shut up and stop talking. But this is exactly the catharsis that I think that the victims and the general viewers wanted…they wanted someone else to finally dress him down and it’s his worst fear. He hated the fact that he had to sit down and shut up while sentencing occurred…and that makes this so satisfying

I am so happy the Judge got to get this whole trial off of her chest today. She did it with such grace even though he kept pulling his stunt and I’m glad she kept bringing up Ms. Erika Patterson. That angered him.

He goes on repeatedly for almost two hours of the same dribble.

FYI: Erika Patterson has been speaking regularly on the Norman Nick's podcast if y'all wanna hear what she has to say.

The credit served extra is a jab at DB. She purposely placed it on the first count to be sure that he symbolically would still do the nine months for his attack on Erica. It's going to be the one thing that will hurt him, especially since it's the one thing he asked of the judge (give him credit on the last count, and did not get it), and that will gnaw at him for the rest of his life. Thanks Judge Dorow *chef's kiss*

"Frankly Mr. Brooks, you deserve it" was the greatest line of this trial! Judge Dorow is a class act. Respectful and professional even in the presence of pure evil.

His mother had the nerve to say he won't survive six life sentences. Well what her son did those people didn't survive either. They had a constitution right not to be murdered or maimed by him also.

Your not sorry for what you did, you are sorry you got caught.

I am so happy to see this absolute excuse for a human being off to prison for the rest of his life! He is truly the biggest narcissist I've ever listened to. Everything is always about him. He thought he'd smooth talk the judge into sending him to a mental hospital instead of prison. He wanted to go there because he knows the other inmates are going to make his life hell! I read a comment today from an employee at a Wisconsin prison who said the inmates have been watching his trial

My head is swimming with all the information I've learned from other RU-vid influencers as well as from you, Peter. If I'm mentally exhausted, I can only imagine how the judge and the prosecution team and everyone else must feel. This has been one emotionally draining trial! My question to you is if any monies that come in for Brooks while in prison and I understand it goes in escrow, 50% goes to the fines. Since he has no money, it seems apparent his mother could put money into an account so that he can buy the necessities and for snacks. Needless to say he basically got 1,000 years. Brooks did not disappoint, he acted up for the last time in this case and his main focus again was all about him! I liked that he spoke about Christ and mentioned his salvation but he suddenly changed back into Mr. Hyde! I'm so glad this trial is over. Judge Dorow rocked and rolled! Thanks for all that you do.

I hope the people of waukesha and all the victims finally feel some kind of justice has been done 💙 I'm in England uk and I feel so much for all affected by this .

Darrell Brooks is ALWAYS the only person on his mind.

Yesterday and the start of today with that little girl talking about her grandma was tough 💔😢 I hope that all the victims felt all the support and love from everyone around the globe ❤ Thank you for the coverage of this trial Peter. It was a tough one to watch.

The judge telling Nick and Corey they might well have saved Erica's life I thought was a very kind gesture because poor Nick said he felt blame for what happened at the parade because he told Brooks to leave the area.

OMG, brooks is so easy to hate. I can't imagine what all of the women in his life went through dealing with this guy for 40 years. Even from prison, I'm sure he''ll manipulate his family.

I think the moment it really hits home for him is when he is waving the paper with writing on it and the judge does not even bother to read it. She tells him she can see it and he is no longer allowed in the court room. He realises that he is no longer able to cause pain to his victims. He is no longer able to be in the spotlight and be the super awesome lawyer. Now all he can do is sit there and wait for the sentences. He knows that he is never going to be in control of anything again. all his rights, factual and fictitious are gone. I don't for a second believe he cares about seeing his kids but I also believe the thought that he will never get to be the rich rap star is crushing him. Sorry for the long winded post, felt good to get that out there.

Rehabilitated or not , that perp should NEVER get out of prison

I love this judge!

“Five kids she don’t even have custody of”, he says, to degrade the testimony of his child’s mother. That may have something to do with Brooks and other men impregnating a minor!

I screamed All day at the TV!!! I was so tired of listening to him! She's the greatest Judge I've ever seen. Love her!

I wish, during the trial, the judge would have made the court officer force brooks 2 sit when she told him to, and when he would say crap like I LET you finish, she would have told him YOU aren't LETTING me do anything I run this court not you. And when he started spewing crap about his constitutional right, she should have educated him that being a sovereign citizen he has no constitutional rights, I think.

Judge Darow was amazing. I feel like I would want her as a judge, innocent or guilty.

I loved how she explained the mental health issues. As a psych nurse she was spot on with all the explanations, also how she bought up the issue with the mum and nan. She wasn’t going to let them get away with making excuses for him. In fact she was very clear about mitigating factors! At least we had no back and forth arguments between them both which was a nice change. It will take a very long time, if at all, Darell Brooks will ever, in some way recognize what he has done and feel any remorse. Such a sad day, no winners just losers. For me there is at least hope for the victims because they are strong, supportive of one another and have faith. My heart goes out to them all 🙏🏻❤️

I lost it when she read all the victims who were murdered names and gave him life for each one.

He literally got thrown out. Asks to come back to ask to go back out. Then gets thrown back out. Now he wants back in lol What in the actual hell is wrong with him. It’s like he wants to be in there but only if he can run his mouth. The second he heard her say “This was not done Bc of mental illness.” His face went 🤨.

I was yelling at the TV the whole time

He is demonstrating his narcissism. Perfectly. He brow beats..... interrupts, can't listen cant comprehend what is being said because he wants to push her down and weaken her words. He believes what he says and thinks is right because he is the only person that matters. Is there any chance an appeal will be successful - for him.?

I've never seen victim impact statements before and it was so sad. I've never seen a trial where a defendant treated a judge like this. Hopefully his name will be forgotten and rot in jail...

His apology was hidden in a lot of narcissism.

She's an excellent communicator.

FYI Darrell Brooks is 40 for sure. Born February 2,1982. I am so proud to live in Waukesha ❤️

Judge Dorow has more patience than one can imagine. She went above and beyond in her dealings with DB. Great judge!

That outburst showed she did the right thing.

His Mum and his Grandmother didn’t seem to really care about him, they never said anything nice about him.

Its so incredible that he stands there waving his objection sign as THE JUDGE describes his DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS. NOT A WORD OF WHAT SHE IS SAYING HAS ANY EFFECT ON HIM AT ALL.

She was totally awesome!!

The Judge was amazing but she must be totally exhausted

no he is 40. Also I liked when the judge brought up what he said about being in treatment facilities... he was only ever in them directly after commiting a crime and being locked up. Never went to one in any other situation lol

I wish there was a cam with video on him when he was in the second courtroom.. would like to know what he said while in there. He really demonstrated with his behavior both in and out of court that he is a person that is a danger to society.

I followed this trial intently from beginning to end watching it live and then again here for the commentary. Here we are on the final day and I fell asleep while the defendant rambled on for two hours. I just couldn't tolerate him any longer. His behaviour yesterday with the eye rolling and giggling while the victims gave their statements was the final straw for me.

As frustrating as it was, I'm actually glad he represented himself. His antics guaranteed the sentence he ultimately got...LWOP. Justice served! A savvy lawyer might have gotten him the possibility of parole.

Thank you for the awesome analysis. I’m also in Waukesha, have lived here since 2013. It’s a great place to live. I pray the victims have had their day in court and they can start their healing now.

God bless Judge Darow ; God bless DA Sue Opper & for this case to be done in LESS than 1 year. Wish we had protectors Florida. I am without help (except being billed by attorneys) for three years.

Who in the world would put any money in his prison account, knowing much of it won’t go to him.

Thanks for being such a good guy Peter. We really appreciate the education you provide along with your humanity and empathy 💙

6 life sentences plus 762 years and that, Mr. Brooks, is your proof of jurisdiction!

Peter, Thank you so much for your awesome coverage on this. Wow, I had not heard anything about his calls from jail and I about fell off my chair, his vindictiveness is truly frightening and I found it interesting when the judge mentioned how the Officer just might've saved Erica's life. Throughout his closing, well throughout the trial I kept thinking about my Papa. He had a horrific childhood - Papa and his brother were raised in a small town in Texas, basically the town looked after them and raised them. He ( and his brother) were terribly abused physically by their father, he was a hard core alcoholic, womanizer, sort of a con man, they were very poor. Papa and his bro were left on their own most of the time, zero guidance, in this day and age they would've been in foster homes no doubt. His Mom really supported the family, worked many many hours and was never there for them. When my Dad was eight he contracted polio, before he was diagnosed his Dad would kick him hard in the a-- because he would stumble. Papa ended up living wih an aunt in a different town and was confined to bed for over a year with no company and little hope of survival. He told me he would talk to God all the time and promised him he'd do his beckoning if he could just survive ( he was the only one out of four in his town to survive, this was in the 30's) and survive he did. He went on to get his pilot's license at 15, went to Baylor, entered the Navy, became a fighter pilot, then instructor then back to fighter pilot, (was on a carrier) his true true love in life besides Mom. He had a very successful career in the Navy, many awards for dog fighting and he loved it, his brother was a very successful marketing agent for Southland Corp. ( they used to own all the 7-11's, I don't know if they still do) and was instrumental in developing the Slurpee !! My Papa was the most decent, the most honest person I've ever known and I tell this abbreviated story of his childhood for one reason only - he, and his brother, had every excuse in the world to do nothing with their life and become losers yet they did not and in fact made lives for themselves, good wholesome and satisfying lives, my Papa served his country for 30 years and was solid, we always knew we could count on him. And he was a kind man . I could not muster even one iota of empathy and certainly not sympathy for DB. I am so tired of people using their childhoods for their excuse to be a horrible wretched person or to do nothing at all or to just basically lose at life or to destroy others lives when they wouldn't do anything with their own. I found DB to be a truly narcissistic and disgusting man who deserves every minute of his sentence for the rest of his sorry life. This judge was absolutely incredible, and so were the victims, it was almost difficult to remember they were sitting there listening to him and having to endure this. That is where all my empathy and sympathy lies, as well it should. I am so relieved that this judge covered every angle so DB has no chance at an appeal. But as I mentioned in a different comment I definitely believe he should be tried in his other cases because there are victims there as well that deserve justice. And as we all agree, all victims deserve justice. God help all the victims.

In the first couple of sentences I thought "no these people did not LOSE a loved one, you KILLED their loved one."

Judge did awesome 👏🏻

The time served thing was the best line in the whole trial. I laughed so hard we he said that.

This Judge is an inspiration. She is an amazing example for me for what and who I aspire to be. I without doubt could never have had the patience she showed every single day. Her love of the law of this country should be an example to us all. Thank you Judge Dorow.

I heard someone during the trial say his only interaction between him and mental health, as an adult, was through the Department of Corrections! That’s why he never stuck with it because as soon as he got out, he started self-medicating with pot!

I was THRILLED when I heard that they moved him from a regular prison to WSPF (Boscobel, WI). This is a supermax facility where he can spend 23 hours a day arguing with himself alone in his cell.

I have no doubt that Erica Patterson would have been dead if her friends hadn't shown up. The fact he couldn't finish what he started when he ran her over before Nov 21st his intentions were to complete the job that day. I know a lot of people believe she was dumb for even agreeing to meet back up with her, but if you've never been in an abusive relationship it's hard to understand the mindset of the victim. Unfortunately I'm currently dealing with a similar situation. I'm getting to the point where I want to runaway and start over in a completely different state because everything I've tried hasn't been successful and my mental health is getting worse and worse. I'm not looking for sympathy but just want others to understand it's not as simple as you may think to get away. Especially when you don't have a support system. Abusers don't show their true colors right away and by the time they do it feels too late or you're in too deep. I've been tracked down, locked in closets, had my phone broken/taken away and so much more. If Erica or anyone else is reading this please feel free to reach out to me. I'm willing to give my email address or talk through social media (my name is uncommon so easy to find on FB)

Law and crime has shown his pre trial hearing. He was strapped to a wheelchair. The trial got postponed.

He made it a point to acknowledge that he was in a mental hospital for just a short time. Sounds like he's uncomfortable at those places. He's exactly 💯 where he suppose to be and thats locked up for the rest of his miserable life.

Erica Patterson is a trigger… again disparaging her cuz in his sick mind he thinks this whole tragedy was her fault. He blames others for everything he does. She is not safe with him free

I really appreciate you covering televised cases like this. This was a very difficult case to watch, but I think watching the process gives a much needed sense of transparency. It really helps to understand how the justice process actually works when you can see real cases take place, with the legal-translating help from lawyers like you. Thank you

Its like he has argued his way through his life and manipulated & worn everyone that couldn’t get away and then has spent the whole trial trying to wear the judge down and it just didn’t wash. Because she was so patient and professional he didn’t get it. And now he is getting it.

One victim blamed the DA recommending $1000. The DA blamed an inexperienced ADA for the low bail.

20 years for six murders without adding all the other critically injured is repulsive. For that to be even suggested is pathetic in my book.