Accused Driver in Waukesha Christmas Parade Massacre Allowed to Cross-Examine Victims

Darrell Brooks, the suspect accused of the Waukesha Christmas Parade massacre, was allowed to cross-examine victims in court on Tuesday and spent the time belittling and re-traumatizing them.

Brooks, who allegedly plowed through the city’s Christmas parade in his Ford Escape last year, killing six people and injuring 62 others, is representing himself during the trial even though he has no legal training.

Brooks began by attempting to downplay the long-term effects of Joshua Kraner’s injuries. Kraner, a baseball coach who was at the Christmas parade with his children when the massacre occurred, testified about the violence as it unfolded and discussed the injuries he sustained which included contusions and bruised bones.

Brooks asked, “Would it be fair to say you’re moving pretty good today? Would it be fair to say you’re walking pretty good these days? Would it be fair to say you don’t remember much from the event?”

The Judge, Jennifer Dorow, repeatedly sustained objections from the prosecution to Brook’s queries and finally cut him off when he attempted to question Kraner’s recollection of the tragedy.

Dorow said in response to Brooks’ disparaging of Kraner’s testimony, “This witness did not identify you, he testified as of his observations regarding the day in question and his injuries … so the news reports don’t have any bearing on his credibility. The points that you brought up are arguments that you may make if you choose during your closing arguments.”  

Brooks, who has been removed from the courtroom several times since the trial began October 3 for his behavior which includes stripping off his clothes, interrupted the judge’s comments on several occasions while attempting to downplay his victims’ testimonies.

Dorow responded to the defendant’s interruption by saying, “Sir, many of your questions get to these sovereign ideas that are frivolous arguments about the plaintiff. I gave you a little bit of leeway, but to ask about [victims making compensation] claims … you might be asking for a different purpose.”

The judge also requested Brooks refrain from arguing with her every time she overruled his objections. “Ignorance of the law is not something you can use as a valid defense. You did this of your own free will, you waived your right to an attorney and the ignorance that you claim is not valid at this point.”

Alyssa Gajewski, a dance coach who was at the parade with her students who were between the ages of six and eight, broke down in tears while watching video footage of Brooks in his SUV plowing into her dancers.

In response, Brooks began muttering comments, to which the prosecution asked the Judge to stop him from doing so.

Gajewski testified that after the collision, she picked up one of the girls from the street, while another began vomiting and seizing. She also recalled visiting a student at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and spoke of “holding her hand and trying to squeeze her hand but she was going in and out of consciousness.”

Kelly Grabow and Jeffrey Rogers who also testified were similarly cross-examined by Brooks. Grabow, her daughter, and

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases