Jury finds Derrick Williams guilty of shooting and killing Navy sailor in West Allis

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – After five days in the courtroom, a jury has reached a verdict in the trial of a man accused of killing a Navy sailor in West Allis.

Derrick Williams was charged in 2022 with first degree intentional homicide for shooting 19-year-old Phoenix Castanon.

According to court documents, Castanon was trying to protect a friend before he was shot during a confrontation with Williams.

Monday morning, a jury unanimously found Derrick Williams guilty of first degree intentional homicide in Castanon's death.

Williams showed no visible emotion as the guilty verdict was read in court.

His trial was supposed to be in September 2023 but was delayed after Williams requested to discharge his attorney.

Instead, trial started Monday, May 20, leading to four days of witness testimony by both the state and defense.

In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors reminded the jury that Williams attempted to hide from investigators after the shooting, and was not arrested until two months after it happened.

Williams' attorney maintained he acted in self-defense, but ultimately, the jury disagreed.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1.