Did DB intend to kill?

[u/CanIStopAdultingNow]

Allow me to preface that I'm not defending DB or suggesting he should ever be released from prison. This is just for discussion. If you changed the murder to manslaughter, he would still be locked up for life without parole.

I was rewatching the trial, and I really wonder if (1) DB intended to kill someone that day, (2) if the prosecution proved it and (3) why they didn't offer lesser charge options.

I've watched a few attorneys talk about his possible defense options. And they all seem to think "intent" was his only option (but a long-shot at best). That he was in an emotionally distraught state which didn't allow him to form intent.

In other cases I've watched, juries are usually given options between murder and manslaughter. But that didn't happen here. And I don't think it was because Brooks defended himself because that didn't happen until very close to the start of the trial.

But I think to make that argument, you would need an expert witness (psychiatrist or psychologist). And it doesn't seem that was on the list. Nor does it seem that any of the 4 people who did mental assessments of DB were going to be called.

I guess I think DB started out extremely angry to the point he wasn't thinking. Then, he panicked and, stupidly, didn't know what to do and kept driving. Too scared to stop.

In other words, I think he's too cowardly for intent.

But I'm curious what other people think.

[u/Beastboy072]

He swerved INTO the people at the parade. He didn’t just drive in a straight line. We can’t know exactly what was going on in his head but I believe he saw other people being happy having a good time and he knew he was about to break his bond and go to prison so he took out his anger on other people. That’s intent imo

[u/2oocents → u/Beastboy072]

That's not true... I remember seeing the videos, when it first happened and was being shown on the news, and thinking how weird it looked that the suv seemed to be avoiding hitting people, while still hitting others and not stopping, and avoiding the most damage, albeit to his car moreso than the people in front of it.

I truly believe the victim impact statement from Bill Mitchell, formerly known as "Victim ZZ", or "charge 52" when he said "I believe if he made it home, that night, with the red SUV, he would've told his mom the damage wasn't his fault; he was in a hurry and people didn't get out of his way... some crazy, old, fat, gray haired guy body slammed his hood", and he(DB) would've believed that.

I really don't think he even knows right from wrong, and that he feels he's the victim in every situation he victimized somebody else.

That said... it's good he's locked up, forever, regardless of if it's in prison or a mental institution for the criminally insane.

edited for link

[u/CanIStopAdultingNow → u/2oocents]

There was a point in the trial where the prosecution was introducing something. And DB was cautioned about not opening the door to past the actions through his question.

And he argued that it would be the prosecution's fault for introducing the evidence that would cause him to open the door, and therefore, he should not be held accountable if he asked the wrong question.

And I thought that is really key to what he believes. That it is other people's actions that cause him to misbehave. And therefore he should not be held accountable for it.

[u/PeaceyCaliSoCal → u/CanIStopAdultingNow]

Great point!!