Opening statement by Mr Brooks:
"I don't have a prepared statement...I will speak from my heart...."
" There's two sides to every story....this incident was not planned, was not intentional....it's easy to form opinions on something of this magnitude...its easy to forget the other side of the coin....ther's been a lot of suffering in this incident, obviously with the families....with the community, [sniff sniff, tears,] lots of misunderstanding, and suffering,
I just want you to keep in mind everything that will be presented, there's no telling the power that you have, I believe uh, that should escape your knowledge, this has been a long process for everybody.....
and what I believe is when its time for you to make your decision, I pray that its the right decision, that all the factors are weighed, there's been a lot of words thrown out there about the alleged, and the ridicule, words like demon, words like monster... [sob, sniffle] ...I know a lot of the time u see me with my mask on but I feel now is the time its important for you to see me for who I am, no mask, this is the moment for that...[sobbing,...]
Your eyes and ears need to be as open as possible, understand that you alone decide this matter, the power is in your hands, all of you to determine for yourselves what the truth is....Thank You."...[more sobbing and sniffling]