Darrell Brooks’ mother is ‘wrecked’ and ‘blaming herself’ for posting her son’s $1,000 bail just days before he allegedly got into his red Ford SUV and plowed into scores of holiday parade goers in Wisconsin, killing six and injuring dozens, according to an ex-girlfriend.
A former girlfriend of Brooks, a convicted felon who has a lengthy criminal record, told the New York Post on Wednesday that his mother, Dawn Woods, sprung him from jail after his arrest for punching a woman.
Brooks was also accused of intentionally running the woman, who is the mother of his child, over with his car at a gas station on November 2.
'She's wrecked that people were killed as a result and she's like, "I'm blaming myself, because had I not bailed him out, this wouldn't have happened",' the ex-girlfriend, who spoke to the Post on condition of anonymity, said.
The ex-girlfriend, a resident of suburban Milwaukee, also shares a child with Brooks. He told the Post that she has had very little contact with her former lover in the last 20 years.
Darrell Brooks’ mother is ‘wrecked’ and ‘blaming herself’ for posting her son’s $1,000 bail just days before he allegedly got into his red Ford SUV and plowed into scores of holiday parade goers in Wisconsin, killing six and injuring dozens, according to an ex-girlfriend. Brooks is seen left on Monday during his court appearance in Waukesha
Brooks' mother reportedly told his ex-girlfriend that if she never bailed out her son earlier this month, the carnage in Waukesha would never have happened. The image above shows a red SUV just moments before it plowed into people marching in the parade procession in Waukesha on Sunday
She also said that her child has not interacted with his father since he was a baby.
'He disappeared when my son was almost 3 months old,' she said.
'I've done all of this on my own, raised my child by myself.'
Waukesha police said that Brooks was leaving the scene of a domestic dispute that had taken place just minutes earlier when he plowed into the annual holiday parade on Sunday.
Brooks was charged with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide, a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted.
He rocked back and forth in his seat and cried throughout his court hearing on Tuesday, his attorney's arm on his back, as the charges against him were detailed.
His bail was set at $5million, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for January 14.
Additional charges related to the sixth death and the more than 60 people injured will be coming later this week or next, said Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper.
The criminal complaint said 62 people were injured, up from the 48 previously announced by police.
'When I saw his picture online, I was like, "What the f***?",' his ex told The Post.
'I was embarrassed enough to have him as the father of my child beforehand, because he wasn't taking care of him,” she said.
'What do you think I am now? Mortified.'
She said she regrets having a child with Brooks.
'I wish I could replace him as the person I had a son with, but I can't,' she told the Post.
'I am sickened by it, obviously devastated, can't sleep,' she said.
Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, the driver of the SUV that crashed into the crowd Sunday, made his first appearance in court Tuesday
Brooks, dressed in a green sleeveless bulletproof vest, was consoled by his public defender as he sobbed in court. His court-appointed legal expert raised eyebrows when she was seen rubbing Brooks' back and attempting to comfort him
Darrell Brooks, 39, is ushered into court in Wisconsin on Tuesday for his bail hearing. He was later seen rocking back and forth in his chair during the hearing, staring at the floor throughout
Brooks is seen far right sitting in the courtroom, wearing a white mask and green vest
'I've been donating and saying prayers and doing everything that I can.'
She added: 'What's hurting me more is he shares DNA with my child.'
Even though she lost touch with Brooks, the woman says that she has remained in contact with Brooks’ mother , who ‘has never condoned any of his bad behavior.’
'She's always condemned everything that he’s done … even weed possession, she's never condoned,' the ex said.
'She's always been very resolute on, "You need to do better. You need to do right. This is not how I raised you".'
Anger mounted on Tuesday after bail for Brooks was set at $5 million - despite him having already been free on bail from a previous crime at the time of Sunday's carnage.
On Tuesday - as it was learned a sixth victim, 8-year-old Jackson Sparks, had died of his injuries - bail was once again set for Brooks.
Waukesha police have identified Virginia Sorenson, 79; Leana 'Lee' Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52 and Wilhelm Hospel, 82 as the other five victims.
Under Wisconsin law, Brooks must pay 100 percent - the full $5million - of his bail in order to be freed, rather than a percentage as applicable in some states.
SIXTH VICTIM: Jackson Sparks, 8, died of his injuries in the hospital, it was learned Tuesday. Pictured right: Jackson Sparks (below) is pictured with his older brother Tucker, 12 (above). Jackson's death was confirmed on Tuesday. Jackson is the youngest of the six victims from the Christmas parade tragedy
Jackson Sparks (right), aged eight, and his 12-year-old brother Tucker (left) were both injured by Brooks' car, with the impact killing Jackson
Tucker, 12 (right in both pictures), suffered a fractured skull and 8-year-old Jackson (bottom in first photo, left is second photo) suffered severe head injuries. Pictured right: Aaron (back) and Sheri Sparks (left) are pictured with their sons. Their youngest son was killed in the Christmas parade tragedy
While a bail bondsman could provide the fee, the person requesting the bond would typically have to put a portion of the bail, as well.
Judge Kevin Costello said the sum was 'extraordinarily high' for the 'indigent' Brooks, but critics pointed out that there was nothing to prevent someone from volunteering to pay the $5million fee or crowdsource the cash.
That's what happened with Kyle Rittenhouse, who was on Friday acquitted of murder in August 2020 shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin, whose bail had been set at $2 million but his supporters crowdfunded the cash.
It was unclear why the judge did not simply deny Brooks bail, given the suspect's 22-year criminal history, multiple failures to previously show up in court, and multiple instances of social media activity with violent themes.
A now-deleted Facebook account belonging to Brooks showed the alleged killer had encouraged knocking 'white ppl [the f**k] out' and also appeared to support the controversial Black Hebrew Israelites.
Brooks was being held in custody on Tuesday night and will be held until his next court appearance in January 2022, unless he makes bail.
'I think Darrell Brooks will post bail,' tweeted one critic. 'It's $5 million. There are those in our country who probably think he did a great service to mankind, and can pay to get him out. They'll do it.'
Another added: 'I do agree with you and it makes me furious. $5M toooo [sic] low. Should be NO BAIL AT ALL. Court will be adding a 6th charge in a day or two. Jackson Sparks, an 8-year-old boy who was marching in the Waukesha Christmas Parade with his baseball team, has died from his injuries.'
Another critic added: 'Waukesha parade suspect Darrell Brooks facing 5 counts of 1st-degree intentional homicide, held on $5M bail. That is even dumber than the low bail that got him out to begin with.
'He can't have any bail!! Bail denied!! WTF is wrong with you people?'
In court on Tuesday, Brooks was consoled by his public defender as he sobbed in court. The court-appointed legal expert raised eyebrows when she was seen rubbing Brooks' back and attempting to comfort him.
Dressed in a green sleeveless bulletproof vest, Brooks was seen rocking back and forth in his chair during the hearing, staring at the floor throughout.
At one point, he appeared to weep as the judge detailed his lengthy criminal record.
Sex offender, drug user and violent abuser… but STILL freed to kill: Mugshots chart shocking criminal career of Waukesha massacre suspectSunday's disaster at the Waukesha Christmas parade, where convicted felon Darrell Brooks killed five adults, one child and injured 60 more by driving through crowds in his red SUV, was the latest in a long history of violent crimes by the 39-year-old whose rap sheet goes back 22 years and includes convictions in multiple states.
Brooks is now in custody in Waukehsa, Wisconsin on five murder charges. He also has two active cases in Milwaukee.
The 39-year-old - who is also a registered sex offender - has a long criminal history dating back to 1999 with more than 15 arrests in the state of Wisconsin alone for charges including possession of drugs, strangulation and suffocation, battery, illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon and resisting arrest.
These mugshots chart the shocking criminal career of the massacre suspect who was freed to kill.
2006 and 2007
In 2006, Brooks was convicted in a Nevada court for statutory rape after he had sex with a minor. Brooks was 24 years old at the time of his conviction.
A social media video of him taken before Sunday's incident shows him trying to explain that the victim was the mother of his oldest daughter who he 'didn't know was 16' when they had sex.
He is also listed as a sex offender in Nevada.
In March 2007, Brooks was charged after threatening to bomb a Nevada casino.
But he had a long criminal history before that. An aspiring rapper who 'turned to the streets at a very young age,' Brooks was first arrested in 1999 for aggravated battery, according to court records.
He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to six months behind bars and three years probation.
He was arrested again the following year on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, loitering, resisting or obstructing an officer and possession of cocaine. Brooks was convicted and sentenced to probation.
In 2002, the now-career criminal was sentenced to 50 days behind bars after being charged with possession of THC, the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
He was also charged with obstructing an officer and driving a vehicle without consent.
Brooks received a 20-day sentence in 2003 for a misdemeanor charge of resisting or obstructing an officer.
In March 2005 he was charged with receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.
Those charges came a month after he served a two-day sentence for misdemeanor obstructing an officer.
In 2006, Brooks was convicted in a Nevada court for statutory rape after he had sex with a minor. Brooks was 24 years old at the time of his conviction. A social media video of him taken before Sunday's incident shows him trying to explain that the victim was the mother of his oldest daughter who he 'didn't know was 16' when they had sex. He is also listed as a sex offender in Nevada. In March 2007, Brooks was charged after threatening to bomb a Nevada casino. But he had a long criminal history before that. An aspiring rapper who 'turned to the streets at a very young age,' Brooks was first arrested in 1999 for aggravated battery, according to court records. Pictured: Left, Brooks in his 2006 mugshot
2011
In the years leading up to his 2011 arrest, Brooks was issued a paternity warrant in 2009 and also convicted of misdemeanor resisting an officer.
In 2010, he was charged with strangulation and suffocation, domestic abuse battery and criminal damage to property.
After pleading no contest to felony strangulation and suffocation, and violating his probation, Brooks was sentenced to 11 months behind bars and three years probation.
He faced several criminal charges in 2011 including violating probation, failure to appear in court, paternity warrant, possession of THC, possession with intent (THC) and bail jumping.
Brooks also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer in 2011, leading to a 37-day jail sentence.
The second incident of THC possession resulted in a 180-day jail sentence. Additionally, misdemeanor bail jumping and another THC offense in 2011 led to another 180-day jail sentence.
In the years leading up to his 2011 arrest, Brooks was issued a paternity warrant in 2009 and also convicted of misdemeanor resisting an officer. In 2010, he was charged with strangulation and suffocation, domestic abuse battery and criminal damage to property. He faced several criminal charges in 2011 including violating probation, failure to appear in court, paternity warrant, possession of THC, possession with intent (THC) and bail jumping. Brooks also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer in 2011, leading to a 37-day jail sentence. He was sentenced to two 180-day terms. Pictured: Bboth of Brooks' 2011 mugshots
2016 and 2020
After serving his 2011 jail terms, Brooks was again charged in 2012 charged with bail jumping, failure to appear in court and resisting an officer. In November of that same year he was charged with possession of THC.
On June 23, 2016, he was arrested in Sparks, Nevada for failing to register as a sex offender. He posted bail on the charge but never appeared in court and has had an active warrant in the state ever since.
In July 2020, he was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment and possession of a dangerous weapon as a convicted felon.
On June 23, 2016, Brooks was arrested in Sparks, Nevada for failing to register as a sex offender. He posted bail on the charge but never appeared in court and has had an active warrant in the state ever since. In July 2020, he was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment and possession of a dangerous weapon as a convicted felon
2021
After spending eight months behind bars between July 2020 and February 2021 for shooting at another vehicle on the road after a fight, Brooks found himself out on bail after a bond previously at $10,000 was dropped to $500 in February.
He was then arrested again, on November 2, in Milwaukee, for hunting down the mother of one of his children at a local hotel. He then followed her down the street with his red Ford SUV - seen in one of the wannabe rapper's music videos - and allegedly ran her over in the parking lot of a gas station after she refused to get into his car.
After spending eight months behind bars between July 2020 and February 2021 for shooting at another vehicle on the road after a fight, Brooks found himself out on bail after a bond previously at $10,000 was dropped to $500 in February. On November 2, or hunting down the mother of one of his children at a local hotel. He then followed her down the street with his red Ford SUV - seen in one of the wannabe rapper's music videos - and allegedly ran her over in the parking lot of a gas station after she refused to get into his car. DailyMail.com obtained copies of his arrest warrant for that incident on Monday which reveal he followed her to a gas station, punched her 'with a closed fist' and then 'ran her over.' The car appears to be the same one used in Sunday's murders. He was let out on November 11 after posting $1,000 bail
By November 19 - two days before the Waukesha attack - Brooks was on the streets again; and by November 21, Brooks was allowed back behind the wheel of his Ford. After Sunday night's massacre, which saw a speeding, red SUV plow into paradegoers in the suburban town in the neighboring county of Waukesha, Brooks was again apprehended by Milwaukee police as a suspect. Officials say he was leaving the scene of a domestic dispute that had taken place just minutes earlier when he plowed into a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee. The attack left at least six dead and dozens injured. One neighbor claims his ex-girlfriend was seen 'running away with no shoes and a black eye', moments before the carnage. Police identified the first five killed as Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81. There was no evidence that Brooks knew anyone in the parade. He is now in custody on five charges of intentional homicide , a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted.
DailyMail.com obtained copies of his arrest warrant for that incident on Monday which reveal he followed her to a gas station, punched her 'with a closed fist' and then 'ran her over.' The car appears to be the same one used in Sunday's murders.
Brooks was subsequently arrested and charged with five counts including bail jumping, for having failed to meet the terms of one of his many other sets of bail or probation requirements.
However, on November 11, the culpable criminal once again escaped incarceration by posting bail - this time on a $1,000 cash bond.
By November 19 - two days before the Waukesha attack - he was on the streets again; and by November 21, Brooks was allowed back behind the wheel of his Ford.
After Sunday night's
