Inset: DeAndre Williams (Milwaukee County Jail). Background: Williams during his first hearing on solicitation of homicide charges (WITI).
A Wisconsin man already accused of murder allegedly tried to hire one of his fellow inmates to kill witnesses in his case.
DeAndre Williams, aged 22, faces charges of four counts related to soliciting first-degree intentional homicide, as documented in court records. Williams made an appearance before a Milwaukee court commissioner on Saturday regarding these new allegations.
During the hearing, Commissioner Barry Phillips discussed some of the claims, which were captured in a video shared by local Fox affiliate WITI.
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“It is alleged that you told your cellmate, ‘She knows my ways, so take care of her and silence her as well,'” stated Phillips. “That’s truly malicious behavior.”
It was at this point Williams put his hand in his sleeve at started crying. But Phillips wasn’t having any of it.
“I think it’s ironic that you’ve been in court the whole time crying, because when I read the allegations against you, it’s not allegations of someone that cries,” Phillips said. “But you’re in court crying. It’s too late for that.”
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WITI obtained a copy of the criminal complaint that said Williams approached the inmate whom he thought was being released from jail soon. Williams reportedly compiled a list of 10 names of witnesses and those who could speak to his character.
“No face no case!” Williams allegedly said.
The inmate went to his lawyer to report Williams’ request.
Williams is accused of murdering 17-year-old Romell Campbell outside a liquor store in September 2024. Cops placed him on Wisconsin’s Most Wanted list earlier this year which led to Williams turning himself into police. Citing a probable cause arrest affidavit, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that in the moments leading up to the incident, he was inside the store and upset about the recent death of a friend.
After buying a bottle of liquor, Williams began walking out of the store around 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and looked toward Campbell. Williams asked what Campbell was looking at and then pistol whipped him before shooting the victim dead, the affidavit reportedly said.
The suspect, who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the homicide charge, has been in the Milwaukee County Jail since February, records show. He has a $310,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for July 15.
