'I hate you! Murderer!': Man charged in triple homicide appears in court alongside 2 accused accomplices

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Thomas Zollicoffer, the man accused of killing three people in two shootings on Aug. 8, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing Monday, Aug. 24. So did his two alleged accomplices.

Zollicoffer's cousin, Elena Cole, allegedly housed him for about three days before police arrested him, and Sengchanh Phengphonsavanh allegedly drove Zollicoffer from one shooting scene to the next.

Families of the three victims, Vanessa Deherrera, Scott Bucholz, and Shamarla 'Asir' Hare, were in court Monday. Scott's mother was in tears, Shamarla's mother was sobbing through much of the proceeding, and Vanessa's mother told CBS 58 she feels mad.

"I hate you! I hate you! Murderer!" shouted the victims' families to the alleged killer as he left the courtroom, to which he responded with blowing a kiss.

Zollicoffer faces seven felonies, including three counts of first degree intentional homicide and four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Deherrera, and her friend, Scott Bucholz, near 21st and Pierce.

Emily Zimmel, prosecuting attorney: "Were lifesaving measures attempted on these two individuals?"

MPD Det. Brian Maciejewski: "Yes."

Attorney Zimmel: "Were they successful?"

Det. Maciejewski: "No, they both succumbed to their injuries and were declared deceased on scene."

Zollicoffer was reportedly taken by his friend of four months, Phengphonsavanh, to Zollicoffer's father's house. According to a criminal complaint, he instead went to the home of Shamarla "Asir" Hare, whom he shot and killed.

The MPD detective recounted witness testimony that Zollicoffer "removed a firearm and pointed it at Ms. Hare. A short time later he also referenced shooting his child's mother and fired another shot at Ms. Hare." As he spoke, heavy sobs could be heard through the gallery.

"I do find cause to believe several felonies have been committed to Milwaukee County; therefore, he's bound over for trial," said Milwaukee County Judicial Court Commissioner Barry Phillips.

The driver is charged with harboring or aiding a felon, as is Zollicoffer's cousin, Cole. Cole also faces three counts of child neglect for allegedly leaving her three minor children in Zollicoffer's care "multiple times," despite knowing what he was accused of.

Zollicoffer pleaded not guilty, and his attorney requested a speedy trial. He's due back in court this Friday.

Phengphonsavanh's next date in court is scheduled for Sept. 28; Cole's is scheduled for Sept. 29.

If guilty, Cole could face 12 years behind bars. Phengphonsavanh could face 10 years, and Zollicoffer could face three life sentences plus 40 years.