Jury deliberations begin in trial of man accused of killing Navy sailor

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Jury deliberations began Thursday, May 23 in the trial of a man accused of killing a Navy sailor.

Derrick Williams was charged with first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing 19-year-old Pheonix Castanon in 2022. After four days of witness testimony, both sides gave their closing arguments.

The state told the jury the case was cut and dry because 36-year-old Williams knew his actions would lead to the death of Castanon, while the defense said Williams was trying to defend himself.

Milwaukee County District Attorney Grant Huebner recapped the case during his closing arguments and reminded the jury that Williams tried to hide from investigators after the shooting by cutting off his hair, changing his phone number, and moving that same night.

"[Williams] is told, 'I don't have a gun. Don't shoot,' and he shoots. 'I don't have a gun. Don't shoot.' He knows, and what better speaks to what he actually believes happened than what he did after," Huebner said.

The defense did not deny Williams' actions after shooting Castanon, but said no matter what he did, he would still be in the same position as he is now because police would not have believed his version of events.

Defense Attorney Colleen Taylor told the jury her client did not try to abduct Castanon's friend that night, and that Williams shot him because he feared for his safety as a black man in West Allis.

"This guy came up to him, he was yelling at him, Derrick was scared. He wasn't trying to kill him. That's why he only fires one shot," Taylor said.

The jury will decide if William is guilty of first-degree or second-degree intentional homicide, first-degree or second-degree reckless homicide, or if he is not guilty.