Friday, June 1, 2012

Spooner, 75, Charged With Homicide In Milwaukee's Southside Teen Shooting Death

John Henry Spooner

Darius Simmons

Family photo

Elderly suspect charged with homicide in teens fatal shooting.

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 1, 2012

Milwaukee - On Friday, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office charged John Henry Spooner, 75, with first-degree intentional homicide in connection with Thursday's cold blooded shooting death of Darius Simmons, 13. Spooner, if convicted is facing life in prison without the possibilty of parole. A cash bond of $300,000 was set for Spooner and he remains at the Milwaukee County jail unable to post bail.
Most likely, he is not expected to spend that much time in prison due to his elderly age, suffers from lung cancer and could expire (die) within years.
Spooner admitted to police that he indeed shot Simmons, who he suspected of breaking into his home and stealing several shotguns worth at least $3,000.
Simmons was outside in front of his home at 1905 W. Arrow St. when Spooner confronted him about the prior house break-in, according to testimony provided to police by his mother. Spooner then took out his handgun and shot Simmons who had his hands straight up in the air. Simmons was unarmed when he was shot multiple times in the chest after a shouting altercation.
Simmons then tried to run back to his home, but fell outside due to his severe injuries, according to his mother, who witnessed the shooting.
He was taken to Children's Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

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