APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A preliminary hearing will be held Aug. 29 for the teenage suspect in a shooting at Erb Park.
Cashmere Williams, 16, is charged in adult court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for the July 31 incident.
In Wisconsin, children ages 10 to 16 facing most homicide-related counts are charged in adult court. At a later stage in the case, the defense can ask for the case to be moved to juvenile court. Such requests are not automatically granted, however, and must be approved by a judge.
Defense attorney Tim Hogan plans on making such a request. As a result, Judge Mark McGinnis ordered the media on Monday to not show Williams in court or use his mug shot.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to Erb Park on Appleton’s north side just before 4:40 p.m. on July 31. They found one person with bullet wounds to his arm and abdomen.
Two witnesses, who know Williams, identified him as the shooter. The victim told police that as he walked toward a pavilion in the park, he heard gasping and saw out of the corner of his eye Williams coming up behind him. The victim told police he heard six gunshots and said he believed Williams was trying to kill him.
The complaint does not give a motive for the shooting.
Police went to Williams’ home about two blocks away from the park. He came out of the house wearing different clothes and appeared to have tried to shave his head.
Clothes matching those Williams was seen wearing at the time of the shooting were found the next day in a nearby yard.
If convicted in adult court, Williams faces up to 60 years in prison.
