Courtroom Incident and COVID-19 Test Result Summary

Mr. Brooks competently represented himself during the hearing despite his agitation over constitutional rights.

### Courtroom Proceedings and Mr. Brooks' Test Result Update
* ⚖ A recess was called to obtain a test result, and **reasonable force** was mentioned in connection with Mr. Brooks and the deputies during an altercation.
* 📜 The court noted Mr. Brooks' **agitation and loud claims about his constitutional rights being violated**, leading to his **temporary removal from the courtroom**.
* 📝 The judge confirmed that the **COVID-19 test result was negative** and would be filed **confidentially for appellate purposes**, although it was disclosed in court due to a prior motion raised by Mr. Brooks.
* 🔒 The result, obtained from the sheriff's department, will remain sealed, but the judge felt it **necessary to share it given the circumstances**.
* 🍽 An early lunch break was announced, allowing Mr. Brooks a chance to **review the result**, which he initially **dismissed** when presented.
* 👔 Mr. Brooks will have the option to **change into street clothes** during the recess and will return to the courtroom afterward.
* 👏 Despite the earlier issues, the judge acknowledged Mr. Brooks' **respectful behavior and competent self-representation** during the morning session, where he **effectively cross-examined witnesses**.
* ⏰ The court is set to reconvene at **1:00 PM** after a **90-minute lunch break**.

a recess so that the test result could be obtained, and if necessary, by reasonable force. It's my understanding there was some type of situation or altercation between Mr. Brooks and the deputies. Ultimately, though, I think he was taken into the bullpen. He was brought back out, but it was very clear to me that he was upset, um, I think understandably so. But I needed to make a record of what was being done, uh, including that I have obtained the test result, so there's an accurate record in this case related to the motion that was raised previously by Mr. Brooks. I want Mr. Brooks to know that I am not removing him from when the jurors are brought back in. It was just simply because he was upset. He was very loud when I walked into the courtroom before going on back on the record. He was yelling about his constitutional rights being violated. I advised him that if there was any type of use of force that he wanted to complain about, he could certainly do that through the proper channels with the sheriff's department.

but just given his state of agitation and my need to make a record, I had him taken to the other courtroom. He is currently muted. I do not intend to go forward with additional testimony ultimately. I'm going to take an early lunch break because of this, but I will make a record of the following. I have the result. I am going to scan it. I have my clerk scan it. It will be filed as confidential, though it won't be available to the public, but it's there for appellate purposes. But I can confirm that the test result for covid-19 was negative. And again, I required the sheriff's department to provide that result to me, and it was, and it will remain under seal. I realize I'm disclosing that result, but I feel obligated to do that given the motion that was raised two days ago by Mr. Brooks. Again, I do intend to take an early lunch, so that will hopefully give Mr. Brooks an opportunity, if he so chooses, to review the result himself. It was put in front of him. I did see that he either

shoved it or tossed it or just dismissed it. It looked like it went on the floor when it was put in front of him, but we'll certainly have the deputies give that to him again during the recess for lunch. Mr. Brooks will also be given the opportunity to change into street clothes if he so chooses, but when we come back, he will be in this courtroom. I agree Mr. Brooks was making a couple of statements about how he was abiding by the rules and being respectful, things of that nature. I agree he's done an excellent job while in court here this morning. He's been respectful of the rules. He made some early on. I let him, you know, make his objections or lack of consent. He did that respectfully. When I said I was moving on, he generally was able to do that. We were able to get through two witnesses. He was able to follow along as cogent, clear, um, responsive, and articulate objections. He was able to elicit information from the witnesses regarding either their memory, their credibility, and other things. Generally speaking, he's

been able to competently represent himself and provide, again, solid cross-examination this morning. So, I'm going to give him an opportunity to hopefully settle back in and to come back here when we return from lunch. So, with that, we are in recess. Probably come back at one o'clock since it's only 11:30, and we'll take the full 90 minutes for lunch today. All right, thank you, everyone.

'Upset' Darrell Brooks Appears to Cry in Court After Outburst During Break

Law&Crime Network

Brooks had an altercation with deputies and was taken to the bullpen, clearly upset and yelling about his constitutional rights.

Brooks' negative COVID-19 test result, which will be filed confidentially for appellate purposes.

The judge plans to take an early lunch break, allowing Mr.

Brooks the opportunity to review the test result himself.

Brooks' behavior in court has been respectful and compliant with the rules.

He made objections and statements without disrupting the proceedings, and was able to follow along and engage with the witnesses effectively.

The judge plans to give him another opportunity to receive his belongings and change into street clothes during the lunch recess.

The individual has been effectively representing himself and conducting solid cross-examination.

The court is taking a recess until 1:00 PM, allowing for a full 90-minute lunch break.