Lawyer Representing Waukesha Christmas Parade Suspect Withdraws From Case

Darrell Brooks, center, makes his initial appearance, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Waukesha County Court in Waukesha, Wis. Prosecutors in Wisconsin have charged Brooks with intentional homicide in the deaths of at least five people who were killed when an SUV was driven into a Christmas parade. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

The lawyer representing the man accused of plowing his SUV into a Waukesha Christmas Parade withdrew from the case while citing conflicts of interest.

During a virtual court hearing Tuesday, attorney Joseph Domask asked the judge to be removed as legal representation for 39-year-old Darrell Brooks. He told the judge he had too many relationships with the victims of the November 29 attack.

The lawyer was also representing Brooks in another case in which he allegedly ran over his ex-girlfriend. The judge also removed him from that case. Meanwhile, it’s unclear who will replace the attorney.

Following his first court appearance, the judge ordered Brooks be held on $5 million bond while citing his lengthy criminal record and history of bail jumping. Additionally, prosecutors said the suspect intentionally sought to hit as many people as possible when he plowed his SUV through crowds at the parade.

The mayor of Waukesha spoke on the aftermath of the tragic Christmas parade, saying the path to healing from the tragic incident will be a tough and long one. During a virtual conference, Mayor Shawn Reilly stated its unfortunate the parade the city had proudly hosted for decades for both residents and visitors has now been tarnished.

“This is a parade…this is part of the fabric of the city of Waukesha and it is it is horrendous to to know that something like that one of our beloved traditions was turned into this,” he stated.

With the first confirmed death of a child, Reilly expressed he has no doubt Brooks will be given the maximum sentence for his actions.

“I believe that he’ll be in prison for the rest of his life,” said the mayor. “Based upon what I know about this, I can’t imagine anything other than that happening.”

However, Reilly reiterated and stressed how difficult the healing process is going to be, especially for those who lost loved ones in the tragic incident.

“This is something that all our every single police department will think of now and in the future,” he continued. “We know it isn’t going to be easy, it’s going to be time consuming. I mean, if you lost your mother, I’m going to tell you right now that next year on that same date, it’s going to be a tough day.”

Despite the tragedy, Reilly went on to express his gratitude for the words of encouragement coming from all over the world.

“There’s so much outpouring of support,” he stated. “You know, it warms your heart to know that people are saying, ‘We support your community. We feel for you.'”

Brooks faces six-counts of intentional homicide. His next court appearance is set for November.