I think his constantly raised eyebrows are a modified version of request for approval, which I’d call demand for approval. He raises his eyebrows and holds direct, aggressive eye contact, basically saying, “either nod or state your agreement with what I’m saying. This uncomfortable situation isn’t going to end until you do.” It’s dominant, aggressive behavior I’ve seen from domestic abusers.

He was so abusive in this trial. It had to be hell for the victims.

The fact that he actually thought he was the smartest person in that room was mind-boggling.

One of the hardest moments in this trial was when he ask multiple victims on the stand if they had a financial interest or gain by filing with the Victim's Assistance to get medical bills paid. It was absolutely disgusting.

When he tried to portray himself as a victim, I can't even describe my level of rage. How more insulting could he be toward the victims and their families. Thank God he's going to jail for the rest of his life.

“You wont hear me try to argue facts” The one time he was honest during the entire trial.

I loved the way the judge collected her thoughts first before answering any of Darrell's objections. That is the best way to handle anyone that is bringing a lot of foolishness.

Best part was when he pounded his fist and stared angrily at the judge. He truly snapped and showed his true colors.

The court officer sitting behind him was probably thinking, "Please, just give me one excuse. Any excuse. Just one."

I think he will find his statement “no one TELLS ME what to do” is now defunct. It is so good to know that he will never walk a street, drive a vehicle, bully a woman or even eat a home made meal ever again.

I love how derrell was consistently helping the other team the whole trial…he is so kind hearted to make himself look bad bless him to get in jail faster.

There was a truck driver in Colorado who actually had a mechanical error and his brakes stopped working. The poor man panicked, didn't think about the emergency exit ramps and drove down the highway avoiding cars while trying to regain control. There was tremendous damage, loss of life, and he was ultimately arrested. When the man came to trial, he was a wreck, and his lawyers said he was having night terrors over the blood on his hands. The poor man hates himself and is living under constant guilt over what truly was only partly his fault. This man, Darrel Brooks, has none of those hallmarks, and in fact many of the opposite. Good riddance to bad trash. *Update it was Colorado not Canada, and the prosecutors celebrated netting him a 110 year sentence. After much protesting, the sentence was commuted to 10 years.

He seems to think that because the judge overrules 15 of his objections, she should overrule 15 of the state’s objections regardless of what the actual situation on the objections are

Once you both pointed out that there was absolutely no reaction from the jury during his closing sob story, I realized that I too had no reaction.

I think all of his acts of sadness were manipulative and manufactured. He announced his emotions every single time. No one states, “I’m about to cry” before tears flows if it’s sincere.

Not only did 6 people die and over 60 were injured, thousands more witnessed this terrible act. Those others were mentally hurt and still to this day think of it. I feel for everyone that was there.

He is the epitome of a behavioral analysis study at the Ph.D level. She did a great job of protecting the record for appeals

It isn't real sadness, it's real self pity. He's feeling so sorry for himself, it makes him cry.

When he talks about his “family” he means himself. When he talks about the “families,” he’s talking about himself. When he talks about his “baby girl” he’s talking about himself. And whenever he cries it’s for himself. He’s the only one he cares about.

Somebody should have told him that there is no such thing as an alleged Defendant. There is just a Defendant.

I wish one official could have said "if you truly believe we do not have jurisdiction, get up and walk away ".

Here’s my take on his “two sides to every story”. Based on his history of DV, It’s the concept that “I hit you because you did something to make me hit you.” So in his mind, it’s not his fault it’s Erika and her friends fault because they picked a fight with him. They made him do it and if they had not fought with him, none of this would have happened. So it’s their fault, not his. Crazy, I know, but that’s how they think.

You could see many times that he only got emotional when referring to himself and his situation. He showed tears when his mother spoke at sentencing, but no one else, not even his grandmother. He's sad that his mother cannot get him out this. She enabled his behavior for his entire life.

A lot of people think she should have been harsher. I’m actually pretty happy at how she handled him. The way she was patient with Brooks means she basically made this case almost appeal proof. It’s going to be really hard for him to prove that she was unfair. She gave him countless opportunities to stop being disruptive, she reminded him before he decided to self represent that he’s going to be treated like an attorney and expected him to follow proper court procedures in terms of submitting things into evidence and filing motions, she gave him the necessary law books so that he can reference something yet I only saw him read a Bible. I think her dealing with Brooks was the most effective strategy.

It blew my mind that he thought being unprepared/unrehearsed was a good thing. If I care about something I spend time thinking through it and giving it my best effort, not “winging it”

“A lot of speculation, a lot of ridicule.” What did he expect? He killed people!! This guy enrages me to a point I have never felt before. I have watched many trials and this one was by far the most frustrating. He does not care about anyone but himself. He does not think this was a big deal. Not once did he say he was sorry. So infuriating.

It's just amazing how he was crying for himself. He could give a flying flip about the true victims whose lives he took including a young boy. These narcissists make me sick!!!!

I don't know how anyone could sit through a trial like this and keep their composure! I would lose my flipping mind, and probably be removed! Especially the attorneys and judge, there must be a very good course taught for this! This man makes me sick!

I just wanted to mention the countless children and adults that were emotionally scarred for life by what they witnessed that day along with those that died, were injured, and the people who lost loved ones. All because this selfish guy couldn't control his emotions and took it out on a lot of innocent people. I hope and pray they are able to heal and get the help they need.❤

He really believed he did nothing wrong. The way he handled the trial is a direct correlation of how he mowed down those victims In both cases he just wanted to get away and nothing was going to stop him or get in his way. Just as he plowed through the crowd he was trying to plow through the court.

Judge Dorow was so patient with him. She is a very wise judge and everything she did was for a reason. She was more than fair with him.

The hideous subject matter being discussed here is counteracted by fantastic observations by two lovely chaps who make life just a little bit better. One of the endless delights of finding Lawtube, is watching the most beautiful friendships grow.

I’m surprised you two didn’t analyse the judge, bailiffs and prosecutors too. Withheld rage, frustration, tension, contempt, disgust even repressed humour at Brook’s ridiculousness at points. This trial is a course of human behaviour analysis in itself. Well done to you both. I love your rapport.

The best thing that came out of the Amber/Johnny case, is Rob & Spidey’s friendship.🥰

This judge needs a raise. Like, NOW. Oh my word. I applaud her for explaining things to him and being incredibly patient.

I think he lost emotional control because it was clear he was losing all control over gf she moved to a shelter wouldn’t give him money and got outta the car. I think he is legitimately surprised that his crazy gaslighting alternate reality isn’t working in the courtroom like it has for him his whole life

I watched this trial every day. I was horrified by his demeanor, his insensitivity and lack of any remorse whatsoever. We all knew that he was guilty as sin, and would be convicted, but there was always a very REAL FEAR, that he would somehow get off on a technicality. Justice has been served. I literally cried when the verdict came in. Tears for the families who will never be the same again, for the physical and mental pain that those children and all of those people will endure for the remainder of their days. He could have prevented this, and he didn’t. Sending love and prayers to the people of Wisconsin.

Thank you Rob and Spidey for covering this trial with sensitivity. I think some people got so caught up with DB's antics that they forgot that 6 people died that day. 60 + more were seriously injured, and an entire community was traumatized. Thank you for creating a platform where we can come to receive factual information, educated opinions, and a sense of community where we can share an opinion without fear of being maligned if people don't agree.

Never once did he express any remorse for his actions. Thank you Rob and Spidey for your thoughtful analysis. Throughout the entire trial, in my opinion, he was not in touch with reality. His "sadness" is for himself and not the victims!

Yay spidey I've been spitting fire when he says" alleged defendant" I cant believe there is any genuine sadness for anyone except himself, not even his own family.

I kind of got the feeling towards to end of his closing argument, he makes what appeared to be a veiled threat, meaning trying to press the jury by saying “make sure you can live with it.” And he says it in several different ways and kept saying it. Almost like do what I’m telling you.

When he kept stating for them to 'do the right thing ' he meant to find him not guilty. He felt they would feel sorry for him.

If there are two sides to every story, he certainly didn’t present a side. He didn’t argue the facts. He didn’t argue the law. He just argued.

What completely displays his narcissism is the fact that he had to try so hard to cry, you can see him trying to push it out and the fact that he used his children as pawns in this. He never paid a dime of child support, he never did anything for his kids, he never even went to see his kids, but all of a sudden in this trial he’s using his kids as a pawn to gain sympathy. That’s a narcissistic behavior.

His excitement about questioning Erika was maddening.... I hadn't seen that bit of the trial before, and seeing it here for the first time made me feel sick. Great analysis from you both!

It's my belief that Brooks wanted to question Erika Patterson in such a way that he could then blame her for what he did next (lose his s*** and murder and maim 67 people) and say, "there, you see, I'm not the monster....she is! It's all her fault. She made me do it!"

The biggest standout to me was how he never admitted, throughout the entire trial, that he was the cause of all of the trauma in Waukesha. It was always "there were a lot of people affected by this incident" instead of "I am extremely remorseful for the damage that I've caused" Says a lot

Brooks could not possibly have believed he could present a defense for his actions. His refusal to accept reality speaks to his narcissistic, sociopathic character.

Mr. Brooks’ crying was only for himself. I saw that straight off. I worked as a TA in a grade school. Had a kid that did this most mornings with the most amazing stories. Did my homework and found out he was an elaborate storyteller. After awhile I knew instantly from a certain give before he started talking/crying and told him so. His facial expression turned instantly to hate. Scared the crap out of me. Mr. Brooks does the same thing.

Thank you! It was very frustrating because everything that he said was, "Me, me, me and what about me." All of it was piled on top of, "Are you sure it was me." It did make the reading of 76 guilty verdicts more satisfying, though.

Wow. Extremely interesting analysis regarding the sadness he shows after seeing the jury’s lack of reaction and his expectation that everyone is always out to get him. It’s just another instance of his absolute refusal to acknowledge his own culpability.

I noticed that on numerous occasions when he was bringing up old issues with the judge, it was right before the jury came in. He was hoping they would overhear him, which became painfully obvious toward the end when he was shouting it with the jury waiting at the door. :/

His sadness is only for himself, no one else!

I was so impressed with this judge's patience and control dealing with this guy. Especially when we all know she wanted to say what we all were thinking.

“Alleged defendant “? He just will not admit what he did. “It’s obvious !”

When we see the contempt right at the beginning, it's when he specifically references not having a prepared speech... I think the contempt is geared at the prosecution, who he is maybe secretly intimidated by bc they were so prepared. In his closing argument, I think he makes a comment about the same thing - basically how his lack of preparation is "from the heart" while their preparation is overly rehearsed

I can’t imagine the patience and intelligence it took for Judge Darrow to avoid a mistrial, errors on appeal or contempt of court charges. She navigated this trial masterfully. Her intellect and demeanour maintained justice and fairness. DB’s self representation was problematic, his personality was impossible, his behaviour was deplorable and we saw this in full force. The judge minimized this display for the jury in full fairness. Nobody on the jury could avoid drawing conclusions as to character, behaviour or guilt by observing what they had to see.

I'd been avoiding watching this trial so far, but once I saw Spideys video I put on notifications for this one. From what I've seen so far he's come across as disingenuous, painfully egotistical, and manipulative. Glad to have you both guiding us through part of the trial 👏 you guys make a great team!

He’s probably in a constant state of surprise because he’s finally in a situation he doesn’t have control over and can’t manipulate and bully his way out of.

He showed "emotion" in his opening & closing and I thought the exact same thing, the emotion was based purely in how he felt about his own situation, it was all about him. Watch him when the prosecution plays the pieced together clip of him driving through the parade, people flying, getting driven over like speed humps, not a SINGLE shred of emotion, remorse or guilt shown. He thought he could manipulate and "play" the court like he has everyone in his life. Imagine how he treated Erika and even his Mum, note the controlling way he spoke about getting his Mum to court to testify. Judge Marow deserves a very long holiday. The prosecution also showed respect & restraint even though they didn't get it. Thanks again Rob & Spidey.

I think Mr. Sovereign knows what behaviors work to help him get his way. All I can see is family and friends giving him what he wants just to shut him up.

Thank you for explaining the legal aspects and body language. I never yell at my screen, but I was so outraged by his behavior in court that I did many times.

OMG!! Thank you SO much for discussing ALLEGED DEFENDANT! Idk how many times I yelled, "It's not alleged that you're the defendant! You ARE the defendant, dip stick!!!"

Both you and you're (friend) last videos about Darrell Brooks, the analysis, was both spectacular & insightful!! Also very interesting!! Thankyou!!

I cannot say with certainty whether Brooks has narcissism, and I do not even want to even attempt a diagnosis. However, his behaviour mirrors that of my narcissist parent so much that watching the trial was hard on me - felt at times like I was back in time thirty years ago, watching my father's playbook cover to cover. As such, I do want to introduce one particular behaviour that I have not yet seen mentioned anywhere as a possible explanation for Brooks' outbursts: Narcissistic rage. This is when a narcissist is so infuriated by something (usually something that pierces his self-image of a perfect person), or when someone s/he considers their lesser has agency that the narcissist cannot overcome, i.e. when they feel powerless. And narcissistic rage is something where they completely lose all control - for outsiders sometimes at the drop of a hat. In such cases, the narcissist mind can go into a complete meltdown because they never developed any mental faculties to deal with this, and it does not even matter if it was something with ill intent. All that matters is that what the narcissist wanted, did not happen - something else did. I have seen a narcissist fly into a screaming rage complete with physical assault (that had a neighbour call the police) because someone had mowed their lawn for them as a nice surprise. Again: I am not giving a diagnosis - but from my experience, the behaviour Brooks displayed both during his road rage *and* in certain situations in court is completely consistent with narcissistic rage.

Brooks was a loaded weapon due to his narcissism and poor emotional control. It's surpising it took this long to kill someone. It's just so heartbreaking 😭.

I love watching you both and your lovely friendship, there's something so pure and powerful about it. Yeah, during Darell's closing argument I felt absolutely nothing while he sobbed, it almost felt like he was acting as if he was on a show and it was the climax of it.

He doesn’t want to hear it, he’s just spouting stuff. He chose to represent himself and he’s so in over his head.

Every time he talks about his own family going through things I'm screaming at the TV that they are also HIS victims. I feel bad for his entire family and I believe they are victims and have been victims for his entire life.

His blink rate and stare is fascinating…not just the ‘death stare’ .He frequently just didn’t blink. He’d look at the ceiling ..look into the middle distance and no blink. That’s so odd when you notice it and you can’t unnotice it because it’s so strange. I tried many times to do it ‘alongside’ him…and never could. I’d get eye watering, that ‘irritated’ feeling in my eyes , ie the things you’d expect if you force your eyelids to stay open. So the lack of blink..weird.

He's feigning surprise just as he was when he accused the detectives of 'lying' to him for not telling him how much they knew.

Him saying “ you have the power”. All I could think of he had the power to not drive through a parade rolling over people

His comparing his suffering to those of the victims' and their families was just horrifying to me. Yes, I feel for his mother and daughter. But I felt no sympathy for his self-induced problems. And I'm pretty empathetic. I cry over commercials. Edit to add- I want to find the person who talked him into representing himself and shake his hand!! That person guaranteed Brooks's conviction.

Great analysis. Super interesting to see you both break this down!! In regards to his ex. I also think he blamed her (like a lot of abusers do) that she didn’t give him his money, she made him mad, and so she was at fault for his action. Obviously completely ridiculous, but I believe that’s part of his thinking too.

You guys are just terrific, so knowledgeable but also relatable. He broke our brains too!

The entire opening and closing he was always wiping away no tears.

I was hoping that both of you could cover that very creepy exchange after the jury went to deliberate. It almost looked like DB wanted to flirt with the judge.

Hiya! Spidey sent me, like so many others. Really enjoying the additional law-based perspective you provide. You two together are a great team.

One of the best break downs of his actions and this case I’ve heard this far. Excellent job

So exciting to hear Rob and Spidey again! Great insight and analysis-thank you! Brooks created a word storm with every legal term he’d ever heard: alleged, accused, jurisdiction, objection, shock restraints, narratives, incident…blah blah blah to cover his lack of empathy and responsibility, and his guilt. Occasionally a tiny glimpse of genuine feeling comes through. For himself. I wish we knew more about his psychological profile.

Never in one moment of the trial will you hear him say I am sorry, Im surprised the jury didnt come back faster except for the paper work is what took the time to fill out! My entire body hurts listening to him as he gaslights the world! The tears he sheds are for himself and himself alone! I love the closing remarks from the DA! Not all narcissist are sociopaths but all sociopaths are narcissists!

I was married (for a very short time) to a guy like this. They are incapable of empathy or even considering another persons point of view. In his mind, it was likely his ex’s fault for making him mad and the victims fault for not getting out of his way. I remember my ex crying when we were in mediation and saying that he just didn’t understand why I was leaving him. When I called him on it and told him he knew exactly why, he quit the act. When he had road rage, you could even talk to him. When he wanted to hit me, he would try to get me to hit him first. When I’d walk away, he’d lose it then pretend he didn’t remember what he did. Please don’t respond that you are sorry I had to go through this. I’m not. I got a wonderful daughter out of this who grew up to be my very best friend. If I had to go through it again, I would for just that reason. There is always a silver lining.

“Are you kidding me?” Sir, you don’t know how judges in a courtroom work?

It’s so sickening that all the tears he is shedding are for himself, not one tear is for his victims!! That made me so mad, Darrell only has sympathy for himself!!

Her trying to explain objections to him is painful. All i want her to say is “I am overturning your objections because they are wrong.” It’s the truth and he doesn’t need more explanation than that.

This is the ultimate Fvck Around V Find Out case when you represent yourself. DB had no remorse or offer any kind of apology to the families or for his behavior. His own witness Nicholas Kirby has more remorse for telling DH to get going bc the cops were coming than DH showed the entire time. It's disgusting and disturbing behavior. Ty Rob and Spidey for two great videos with such good insight.

I did watch both parts of the analysis, and the trial the last week+. DB fluctuated between adult tantrums and what Spidey called leverage. Rob identified the scene in a court as a power play and etiquette and that's all I could see. DB abusing power, insecure, acting like this was a game. While removing himself from accountability. (Side: loved Spidey's snuggle break)

He deliberately drove into the parade. He deliberately hit those people. He was angry, enraged, at least partly because of the situation with his EX-girlfriend. Someone that can't control that level of anger, someone that takes it out in that manner, is a danger to the rest of society.

In his closing he said he was happy to say his conscious was clear, couldn't believe he'd said that.

My only complaint is that this episode wasn’t long enough. 😊. Great job gentlemen.

He never shut up NEVER …IT WAS EXHAUSTING

Dave’s Lemonade did a 3 hr documentary type video that really shed light on the WHY. I finally get why and what DB meant about us not knowing the full story. He was sitting in jail for 3 weeks before the parade tragedy on charges stemming from hitting Erika with his car. For 3 weeks he was calling her constantly (there were 100’s of calls) harassing her to tell detectives this was all a lie and to refuse to give them her medical records. He threatened her m telling her he was facing 60 years and would die in prison because of something she did (that’s how he thinks, SHE caused this). He finally made bail and the very next day he got her to tell her location and he went to confront her. So this incident was THREE WEEKS in the making, DB thinking his life was on the line all because of EP. The judge said she believed the intervention by Runkle & Kirby saved Erika’s life that day. DB spent 3 weeks “fighting for his life” and still couldn’t get Erika to recant. THAT is the rage they talked about. That’s why DB kept saying we didn’t understand the full story why he wa so fixated on Erika, in his mind this entire thing is her fault. He walked away from her got in his car that day understanding his life was over, she wasn’t going to recant he was getting those 60 years. And he drove like nothing mattered because his life as he saw it was over.

Not looking forward to the sentencing phase! Don’t imagine too many people will be there to speak for him but the victim statements are going to be horrible.

I forget whose channel I was watching the closing statements on, but they asked the chat whether we thought his emotion was genuine for the victims or not. I feel so validated by you guys's comments on that! When I commented in the chat, I called it performative and a self-pity party. I think he knew he couldn't come up with a genuine emotional statement for the victims, so he tried confusing at all together so that his genuine emotions of sadness over himself getting caught and held accountable could bleed over and appear to be sympathy for the victims. I really liked how you guys put it, something to effect of feeling powerless and recognizing that the jury was going to make the right decision of putting him away. He genuinely was distressed by that, but I wholeheartedly agree that he didn't feel the emotion for the victims or their families.

I made a few notes while watching this: The contempt on his face during the opening statement felt like it never left the whole way through it... I also definitely picked up that that sadness had more to do with self pity for himself, his family, sadness about the predicament he's in and the magnitude of what he's facing hitting him at once. great show guys, thanks for the deep dive into his madness, it makes me feel less crazy.

I can’t believe he doesn’t see it.. you can object all you want but if you’re not objecting on the right grounds then of course it’s going to be overruled. He is so clueless. You don’t just get to object because the state is objecting and it’s “not fair”. Good grief I’m glad he’s where he belongs.

One thing I think about often in addition to the six people he murdered and the 60+ that he struck, the sheer volume of people who will have trauma and mental health issues just from being there that day! He will never get it! He has ruined soooo many lives beyond the ones physically injured! My heart goes out to everyone who was there that day. I've also never seen an ME cry during their testimony. Heartbreaking.

I enjoy seeing Rob display the frustration a lot of us feel.

This judge needs an award from the state of Wisconsin, patience of a saint!

Hi Rob! I started following you from LegalBytes and was glad to see you making videos with Spidey. My husband was part of 70 people going through voir dire, and made it to the 8 person jury (2 alternates) on a 2 day criminal trial in Florida. He was part of the final 6 that came to a unanimous decision. Thanks to legal videos from you and behavioral videos from Spidey, he was able to make a more informed decision. Thank you for your videos!