Latest news with #MilwaukeeCountyMedicalExaminer'sOffice
Yahoo
3 days ago
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Milwaukee stabbing, man found not guilty of reckless homicide
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee man who prosecutors said "admitted" to stabbing his own brother was found not guilty at trial on Thursday. In Court A jury acquitted 26-year-old Anslem Ike of second-degree reckless homicide. The stabbing happened last summer near 83rd and Villard. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The backstory A criminal complaint states officers arrived at the scene and found the victim lying in the street. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 27-year-old Kingsley Ike and determined he died as a result of two stab wounds. Court filings said Anslem Ike was also at the scene when officers arrived. Some citizens said Ike "stood by them and admitted that he had stabbed" his brother. Officers then arrested Ik and found a knife nearby, which he said was used in the stabbing. Following his arrest, Milwaukee police detectives interviewed Ike. Prosecutors said he "admitted" to stabbing his brother, who had punched him twice during a fight. The fight stemmed from a dispute over damage to a television, according to court filings. Ike said he had confronted his brother about the damage and poked his brother's speakers with a knife. When the victim didn't react, Ike said he poured water onto the victim's Xbox, and that's when the fight started. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News What they're saying Ike's legal team issued the following statement in response to Thursday's verdict: "Mr. Ike, his family, and all of us at Hartley Rauch are thrilled that justice was served this week. The circumstances around this homicide were already tragic for the Ike family, and we are thankful that no damage was done. We are grateful for the men and women of the jury who listened to the evidence and carefully came to the correct decision." The Source Information in this report is from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man who died in Milwaukee Jail identified
The Milwaukee County Jail. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) A man who died at the Milwaukee County Jail earlier this week has been identified as Gabriel Muniz-Jimenez, 33. Records from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, obtained by Wisconsin Examiner, show that Muniz-Jimenez was pronounced dead Wednesday at 10:56 p.m. He is the second person to die in the jail so far this year. On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) reported that an unidentified 33-year-old man had died after his cellmate reported to correctional officers that the man 'appeared to be unconscious and in medical distress,' Urban Milwaukee reported. The sheriff's office said that the deceased man had been booked into the jail in November on felony methamphetamine possession. Online court records show that Muniz-Jimenez was charged with methamphetamine possession in April 2024 and the court case was filed in July. Booking information online shows that Muniz-Jimenez was booked into the jail in late November on methamphetamine charges. Court records showed that Muniz-Jimenez required a Spanish interpreter in court. The sheriff's office announcement this week said officers attempted lifesaving measures including the use of Narcan, which can reverse an opioid overdose. A demographic report from the Medical Examiner's Office on Muniz-Jimenez labels the cause as undetermined. MCSO has not responded to a request for comment, and the Waukesha County Sheriffs Department, which is investigating the death, declined to identify who died in the jail. The MCSO is a member of the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team (MAIT), which handles officer-involved deaths such as shootings and in-custody deaths. The Milwaukee County Jail has garnered controversy for deaths in recent years. The 2022 suicide of 21-year-old Brieon Green was the first of six in a 14-month period, and families of people who died have allied with activists to call attention to the deaths. In March, 48-year-old Joseph Boivin died at Froedtert Hospital after being found by a nurse in the middle of a health emergency at the jail. A jail audit detected numerous issues, including use of force and what the auditors called 'dangerous suicide watch practices.' A recent review by the Texas-based auditor Creative Corrections found that the jail has come into full compliance with 71.2% of the proposed corrective actions, with another 28.8% being in partial compliance. The jail still needs to fund two new suicide watch cells. Jail officials are renovating housing areas and have said they are updating suicide watch policies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
'My tenants love me': Milwaukee landlord from fatal apartment building fire on Mother's Day speaks
The landlord of the Highland Court Apartments, where five people died and others were critically injured in Mother's Day fire that rendered the building uninhabitable, is speaking out. Geraldine "Jeri" Robinson told the Journal Sentinel May 12 that she was staying at her apartment at Highland Court the night of the fire, when chaos ensued. "Somebody, as I understand, the guy had an accelerant that was thrown in his apartment," she said. Officials have not confirmed Robinson's account of what happened that night. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office released the names of the victims May 12 and Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski has been providing updates, but law enforcement officials, which now includes the ATF and State Fire Marshal, have provided very little information on the incident. What is known is that no building-wide sprinkler system was in the 85-unit apartment complex, located at 2725 W. Highland Blvd. Certain buildings constructed before 1974 were not required to have sprinklers, according to Lipski. Robinson said she has owned the building since 1987. First responders dragged out or rescued dozens of tenants. Witnesses described tenants jumping from higher floors to the ground below and using the balconies to climb down. The deadly blaze drew about 22 fire engines and eight ladder trucks, including units from Wauwatosa and West Allis. Robinson said she is aware of which unit the fire started in and the living arrangement was a "girlfriend-boyfriend" situation. "It started on the third floor," she said. "They did significant damage to the third floor. One of the people in that apartment threw an accelerant and the other person is in the hospital. It looked like somebody was burned really bad." Robinson said the building had smoke alarms in the units and fire exits. "Every floor has two or three fire exits," she said. Robinson reiterated the use of an "accelerant," which would make fire safety steps less effective. She added the building was inspected quarterly and "we never had a problem." While the building did not have sprinklers in its living areas, it did have one in its parking structure. The parking structure's sprinklers had led to a building code violation notice for repeated failures to be up to city standards, records show. Robinson said the fire department may allow tenants to return May 13 to get personal belongings, stressing the need for residents to get medications. A nearby shelter has been set up for tenants. Robinson spoke of a heroic effort from first responders and her neighbors as firefighters rescued about 30 people from the fire. "Everybody sees a need and they jump in and do it," she said. "I sat out there with my tenants all day until it was time to go to the shelter. My tenants love me." Jerome Reeves, who lives on the building's fourth floor, was among those saved from the blaze. He told the Journal Sentinel that Robinson was a "good landlady," whom he has known for years. Robinson said she has owned several properties in Milwaukee County, including 3970 N. Oakland Ave., the tower across from Shorewood High School. "This is my last (property)," she said. "I'm getting rid of them all." Milwaukee police asked anyone with information to call them at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app. Jessica Van Egeren and David Clarey contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Landlord discusses fatal Mother's Day apartment building fire
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mother's Day fire at Milwaukee's Highland Court Apartments kills 5, no sprinklers scrutinized
This story was updated to correct the number of people who died in the fire and to add a video. Five people died in a Mother's Day fire at an 85-unit apartment complex without a building-wide sprinkler system on Milwaukee's near west side, prompting an ongoing investigation into its cause by officials. First responders arrived at Highland Court Apartments, 2725 W. Highland Blvd., around 7:45 a.m. on May 11. They dragged out or rescued with ladders about 30 people, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said at a news conference that day. The victims of the fire include: Torrell D. Coleman, 40; Verna Richards, 62; Mark A. Chaffin, 76; Maureen Green, 67, and one unidentified woman, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wisconsin Department of Justice State Fire Marshal were at the apartment building on May 12, joined by the Milwaukee fire and police departments. In total, the deadly blaze drew about 22 fire engines and eight ladder trucks responded to the fire, including units from Wauwatosa and West Allis. Jerome Reeves, who lives on the building's fourth floor, was among those saved from the blaze. Reeves said he has lived at Highland Court for 33 years. He opened his apartment door when he first smelled smoke, he said on May 12. He said the smoke was so dark and thick he couldn't see his hand in front of his face. Urgent 911 calls indicated some people jumped from the second floor to escape the building. Eddie Edwards, who has lived at the complex for three years, said a mother tossed her baby to him during the escape, after he leaped off his balcony to safety. "I jumped because that was the only way out," he said. Lipski described the complex as "completely uninhabitable." He declined comment May 12, citing the ongoing investigation. The department intends to hold a news conference on the fire in the coming days, he said. The apartment fire exposed deadly flaws with state building code and fire safety. The four-story building was built in 1968 and was not required to have sprinklers or standpipes, Lipski said. Buildings constructed before 1974 with certain sizes, shapes, dimensions and occupancy were not required to have sprinklers, he said. The lack of sprinklers "dramatically" affected the survivability of those in the apartment, he said. "It's the grandfather clause. Nobody was required to go back and make that building fire-safe, and you result with this today," Lipski said. "We have fought this fight for many, many years across the United States." Alderman Bob Bauman, who represents the area where the apartment is, was uncertain if changing code — which he said was outside the city's abilities — was an effective effort moving forward. He worried the cost of retrofitting apartments would be significant and ultimately result in tenants paying more. He said there are hundreds of apartments in the city without sprinklers due to the code exception. The issue is a 'red herring' with what happened, since they weren't required, he said on May 12. 'I'm sure it can be done, and I'm sure it could save lives someday down the road,' Bauman said. 'So people have to go in with eyes wide open, maybe that investment is worth it.' The day before, Lipski addressed possible costs directly. "Of course, it would be an expensive proposition, but I have four fatalities here today. I'm not sure what people think is more expensive right now," he said. Initially, four people were killed in the apartment fire. On May 12, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office released reports showing the number who died grew to five. The American Red Cross of Wisconsin sheltered 39 people the night of the fire, said Jennifer Warren, regional communications director for the organization. That support will continue until those displaced find alternate living arrangements. The organization is also providing food, health and mental health services, spiritual care and kits that include bathing supplies, among other things, she said. The building is owned by Wisconsin Robinson Family Limited Partnership, according to city assessment records. The owner did not return calls for comment on May 11 or May 12 While the building did not have sprinklers in its living areas, it did have one its parking structure. That's because it was built following the apartment and within years when building code requires it, a Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services spokesperson said in an email. The parking structure's sprinklers had led to a building code violation notice, city records showed. That notice was issued after an April 2024 inspection, according to Department of Neighborhood Services records reviewed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The notice cited a section of Milwaukee's building code requiring sprinkler systems and equipment 'be maintained in an operable condition.' The notice said an annual inspection by a licensed contractor, and a five-year inspection, were overdue. The code violation was to be corrected by June 11, 2024. Nine follow-up city inspections were conducted from May 2024 through March 2025, which department records say showed a failure to resolve the violation notice. The department recorded the violation as cleared after an April 22 inspection. The inspector's notes said the five-year and annual inspections had been completed. Online department records also listed inspection fees totaling $2,438. On May 12, residents and bystanders stood outside the building. Some wondered if they would be able to re-enter the building and retrieve belongings, while others wondered about the conditions of loved ones. Neighbors described how people leaped out of windows or climbed down trees. Reeves, who was rescued from his fourth-floor apartment, has been a resident of Highland Court Apartments for 33 years. His rent is $775 for a one-bedroom unit he moved into after his wife's death. He said Geraldine Robinson, who is listed as the building's owner, is a 'good landlady,' who he has known for years. 'Getting mad about it ain't going to help change anything now,' Reeves said of the lack of sprinklers. 'I guarantee if you come back here in six months there will be sprinklers installed.' Edwards has lived in the apartment for three years. On May 11, he heard glass breaking and people screaming. When he went to open his door, he was greeted with black smoke. 'I couldn't see anything. It pushed me back in the building,' he said. He told his girlfriend to get his daughter — they had to leave through the fourth floor apartment's balcony. Edwards leaped to the ground, while the other two climbed down from balcony to balcony until reaching the ground. After he reached the ground, a woman with her baby was calling for help. Edwards said he called for her to drop her baby to him and could only think to himself 'please don't drop the baby." She then climbed down safely, he said. Edwards spent the night at a shelter set up by the Red Cross of Wisconsin and will stay there for a few days. He may stay with his girlfriend's family, but that's far from reassurance. The family has a cat, Coco, that's still missing. Edwards had no renter's insurance. Now, the question of what's next lingers. 'I'm worried about the next steps,' he said. David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@ Jessica Van Egeren is a general assignment reporter and assistant breaking news editor with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at jvanegeren@ Drake Bentley, Hope Karnopp and Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel contributed reporting to this story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Highland Court Apartments Mother's Day fire kills five
Yahoo
21-04-2025
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Overdose death, drugs sold; Saukville woman charged, victim's family responds
The Brief Cocaine laced with fentanyl killed 28-year-old Nicholas Hamilton and sent three other people to the hospital in May 2023. 40-year-old Amber Williams is charged with first-degree reckless homicide. The family of Hamilton said there had been a lot of ups and downs to get to this point. SAUKVILLE, Wis. - An arrest earlier this month was nearly two years in the making. A Saukville woman is now charged in the 2023 overdose death of a 28-year-old father of three. The family of 28-year-old Nicholas Hamilton said there had been a lot of ups and downs to get to this point. They say they still have a lot of questions, but they're at least happy to see some progress. What we know Court records show that in May 2023, Hamilton and a group went out to the Railroad Station bar in Saukville. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Police say later that night, now-40-year-old Amber Williams sold him bags of cocaine. Shortly after, four people overdosed inside a home. Three of them survived. Hamilton died days later and his organs were donated. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said fentanyl was a substantial factor in his death. Now Williams is charged with first-degree reckless homicide. Williams is in the Ozaukee County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond. If convicted, Williams is facing 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. Local perspective Patti Blanchette lost her nephew, Hamilton nearly two years ago. "It's been a long two years for the family, especially for my brother and his entire family," Blanchette said. "We miss him, but we all love him." Blanchette said it's a relief after struggling with the system to make progress in this case. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "[Our family does] feel that some justice is being served," she said. She also said this is still a case with no winners. But noted she hopes this will be a lesson to others while also helping to get the drugs out of the community. "We don't want to see this happen to other families," Blanchette said. The Source The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.
