Trial delayed for Milwaukee man charged in shooting death of Navy sailor in West Allis
The trial of a 37-year-old Milwaukee man facing felony charges related to the West Allis shooting death of a Navy sailor was delayed on Sept. 11.
Derrick Williams, the defendant charged with first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, requested his defense counsel withdraw, according to online court records.
Williams’ attorney, Aneeq Ahmad, has been on the case since early August 2022.
A motion to withdraw as counsel for Williams was granted due to a “breakdown in communication,” the records said, adding Williams is eligible for appointment of a public defender.
A status hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 21.
West Allis detectives and SWAT arrested Williams on July 20, 2022, relating to the murder of 19-year-old Phoenix Castanon of Arizona. Williams was charged three days later and faces life in prison, if convicted.
Williams entered a not guilty plea on Aug. 25, 2022.
What happened that led to these charges?
Castanon was found shot early May 8, 2022, near South 84th and West Becher streets, according to a May 9 Facebook post by the West Allis Police Department. Despite lifesaving efforts, he died at the scene.
Police said Castanon was with some women he knew that night. One of the women was approached along 84th Street by a vehicle with an unknown man driving who started speaking to her.
The woman reportedly became scared and ran toward the vehicle Castanon was sitting in; he got out and approached the male driver, police said.
“The two exchanged words and the suspect fired a gun, striking Castanon,” the Facebook post read. “The suspect then fled the area.”
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @Redheadliner.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trial delayed in shooting death of Navy sailor in West Allis
