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

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