Man sentenced to life in prison for shooting Navy sailor in West Allis in 2022

MILWAUKEE, (CBS 58) -- The man charged with first degree intentional homicide in the death of a Navy sailor in West Allis was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 1. 

Judge Jeffrey Wagner sentenced Derrick Williams to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 42 years for shooting Phoenix Castanon in May of 2022. 

Family members of the 19-year-old victim were in court in Milwaukee on Thursday, sharing statements about the impact he had on his family and the world around him. They said they've been in unbearable pain without Castanon in their lives. 

“I understand we all make mistakes in life, I do, and the Bible says I’m supposed to forgive Mr. Williams for what he did to my son, but I cannot. I don’t think that there’s a father in here that could," said Daniel Dunklin, Castanon's father.

“He was taken on Mother’s Day," said Patsy Dunklin, Castanon's grandmother. "I don’t know if we will ever look at Mother’s Day the same because it will always bring back this memory."

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

During the trial that concluded in May, 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.

At the sentencing, the defense aimed to have an earlier parole opportunity for Williams. Judge Wagner said both him and the jury found the defense's witnesses to lack credibility. 

Castanon's family said no amount of time in prison could ever compare to a life without the young Navy sailor.

“I just hope he gets everything that he’s got coming to him," Dunklin said.

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