Wisconsin parade news – latest: Two Illinois cities boost security ahead of 134th Christmas procession

Darrell Brooks entered the Waukesha County Court just after 4pm CT on Tuesday to face five charges of first-degree intentional homicide.

Dressed in a dark green jumpsuit a coronavirus mask, Mr Brooks is sitting next to his attorney in handcuffs.

The hearing is being livestreamed here.

The Independent’s Graeme Massie reports:

A sixth victim has died in the wake of the Waukesha parade crash, prosecutors said at Darrell Brooks’ hearing Tuesday.

Prosecutors said the sixth victim was a child, and they expect to bring a sixth count of first-degree intentional homicide as a result.

The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell reports:

Darrell Brooks’ bail was set at $5m during Tuesday’s hearing.

The prosecution read off a string of the defendant’s prior convictions and his history of bail-jumping before requesting bail of $5m.

As he listened to the list, Mr Brooks hunched over staring at his cuffed wrists.

The sixth victim of the Waukesha parade attack has been confirmed as eight-year-old Jackson Sparks.

A GoFundMe for Jackson’s family confirmed the tragic news on Tuesday evening after prosecutors revealed the sixth death at Darrell Brooks’ court hearing.

Jackson’s brother Tucker, 12, was also seriously injured but is “miraculously recovering” and will be discharged soon, the fundraiser states.

A Wisconsin district attorney acknowledged that his justice reforms could lead to freed criminals killing others more than a decade before a man his office released on bail mowed down dozens of people at a Christmas parade in Waukesha.

John Chisholm began enacting reforms – including the lowering of cash bonds and diverting non-violent offenders to treatment programs – when he was elected as Milwaukee County District Attorney in 2007.

Explaining his efforts to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that same year, Mr Chisholm acknowledged the possibility of adverse consequences.

“Is there going to be an individual I divert, or I put into a treatment program, who’s going to go out and kill somebody? You bet. Guaranteed. It’s guaranteed to happen,” he said.

“It does not invalidate the overall approach.”

Mr Chisholm’s comments were drawn back into the spotlight this week after Darrell Brooks, a felon with a rap sheet dating back to 1999, was accused of killing five people and wounding 48 others by driving his car into Waukesha’s Christmas parade.

The Independent’s Megan Sheets reports:

The eight-year-old became the sixth victim of the Wisconsin Christmas parade incident last Sunday.

“Aaron Sparks and Sheri Sparks would like to thank everyone for your prayers and amazing support during this difficult time,” said LifePoint Church in a Facebook post.

“They wanted to give an update to everyone as you are likely aware, Tucker (12) and Jackson ( Sparks were both seriously injured during the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack and have been in the ICU since.

“Tucker, by the grace of God is miraculously recovering from his injuries and will be being discharged home. This afternoon, our dear Jackson has sadly succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

“Please know that they appreciate your continued prayers and tremendous outpouring of support for their family. They do however ask for privacy at this time to allow Tucker to continue to heal physically and their family to heal and mourn the tremendous loss of their sweet little boy who is now under the care of Jesus.”

Mr Brooks faces life imprisonment if convicted on the five intentional homicide charges he faces, with prosecutors expected to bring a sixth charge following the death of eight-year-old Jackson Sparks.

ICYMI: Harrowing video captured the moment a little girl narrowly avoided being struck by the SUV that barrelled down the Waukesha Christmas parade route on Sunday.

The youngster, dressed in pink snow gear, is seen dancing to a marching band a few feet from the sidewalk when the car passes inches behind her.

The crowd erupts in screams of terror as the car continues down the route before striking dozens of people.

The Independent’s Megan Sheets reports:

ICYMI: The Milwaukee Brewers baseball team announced two fundraisers in honour of the Waukesha Christmas parade victims.

The first took place on Tuesday morning, where fans were invited to meet with top members of the team at the Colectivo Coffee shop in Milwaukee. Attendees were encouraged to donate to the Brewers Community Foundation, with the team’s president of baseball operations David Sterns promising to personally match the amount raised.

The second event, “Magic of Lights” is scheduled for 5pm CT on Wednesday. For ever car that attends, host American Family Insurance pledged a $10 donation with a cap of $10,000.

ICYMI: Police released a new mugshot for Darrell Brooks hours before he is set to appear in court.

The photo taken Tuesday morning shows Mr Brooks wide-eyed in a heavy, green jail-issued vest.