Court commissioner has strong words for Milwaukee man accused of killing his 4-year-old son

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A man accused of killing his 4-year-old son appeared in court for the first time Tuesday, July 16.

Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Barry Phillips had a strongly worded message for 35-year-old Ralph Taylor: 

"This was not a tragedy. This was an assassination," said Phillips. "If these allegations are true, and you're still afforded the right to the presumption of innocence, but if these allegations are true, you are a baby killer and the only thing worse than a baby killer, is a person that kills their own baby." 

Taylor was visibly upset throughout the hearing. 

His son has been identified as Ralph Taylor III. 

Taylor is accused of shooting the boy last week at an apartment near 57th and Northridge Lakes on the city's north side. 

Police say he shot his son in the head. 

Neighbors tell us they're distraught over the shooting. 

“I don’t understand why he shot his son," said one neighbor. "I mean, he’s 4 years old. What he did so wrong for him to shoot him?"

Taylor faces homicide charges. 

The boy's mother, Casandra Taylor, faces charges including child neglect resulting in death.