Man accused in Milwaukee triple homicide appears in court; cousin charged with harboring him

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The man accused of killing three people in Milwaukee last Saturday, and the woman who reportedly hid him from police, appeared in court Monday, Aug. 17. 

Thomas Zollicoffer faces seven felonies -- three counts of first degree intentional homicide and four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. 

Zollicoffer reportedly fatally shot his former live-in girlfriend, Vanessa DeHerrera, and her friend, Scott Bucholz, near 21st and Pierce last Saturday night, Aug. 8. DeHerrera's family tells us she was trying to get away Zollicoffer, and Bucholz was there to help. 

He's accused of then going to 39th and Townsend to "buy some coke and sell the guns." It was then, prosecutors say, that he fatally shot 39-yearo-ld Shamarla "Asir" Hare, the parent of one of his children.  

From there, according to the criminal complaint, Zollicoffer went to the home of his cousin, Elena Cole. That's where he was eventually arrested following a standoff with police. 

Cash bail for Zollicoffer was set at $1 million given his actions and criminal history. 

"The defendant executed people in cold blood," prosecuting attorney Gregg Herman said. 

His cousin, Elena, also appeared in court, facing a charge of harboring or aiding a felon along with three counts of child neglect. She reportedly went out to drink, leaving her three minor children in Zollicoffer's care "multiple times" despite knowing what he was accused of. 

"Cole admitted he told her while at her residence with her children he was going to have a shootout with police" Judicial Court Commissioner Cedric Cornwall said. "So, these allegations are very serious in the eyes of the court."

If found guilty, Cold could face 12 years behind bars. 

Meanwhile, Zollicoffer could face three life sentences plus 40 years. They're both due back in court next Monday.