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Chicago man found guilty of killing man in Milwaukee Taco Bell parking lot

The latest person accused of killing a man who intervened in a failed carjacking attempt in a Milwaukee Taco Bell parking lot has been convicted of murder.

A Milwaukee County jury found Tramaine Walton, 18, of Chicago, guilty of first-degree manslaughter for participating in a felony involving the use of a dangerous weapon and found other charges in connection with the May 5 shooting, in which Stanley Smith Jr. was killed., 41.

The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, reached their verdict after deliberating for less than 90 minutes. Sentencing will take place on January 30th.

Walton was 17 at the time of the shooting.

Three other men — Lamont D. Stanton, 19; Correnthis C. Neal, 18; and Jovani J. Velazquez, 31, all of Chicago — were also charged. Their cases will be handled separately.

Assistant District Attorney Daniel T. Flaherty presented 37 witnesses and more than 90 pieces of evidence, including video footage from various surveillance cameras, during the weeklong trial.

More: “I had a gun, I shot the gun”: Two teens arrested in deadly Washington Park Juneteenth shooting

Velazquez became a key witness in the case after reaching a deal with prosecutors last month.

Velazquez, who prosecutors believe drove the other defendants that day, agreed to plead guilty to attempted armed robbery by participating in a felony, fleeing or eluding an officer and possessed a machine gun, and to serve a 15-year prison sentence.

Velazquez testified against Walton in court, portraying him as a willing participant in both the robbery and the shooting.

Here's what prosecutors say happened

The shooting happened just after 6 p.m. on May 5 in the parking lot of Taco Bell at 5630 W. North Ave. The incident began at a nearby bar, Scene 1 Restaurant & Lounge, at 5526 W. North Ave.

According to a criminal complaint, Smith was at the bar and parked in a Taco Bell parking lot. The DJ made an announcement that some people were breaking into cars outside. That led to patrons, including Smith, rushing from the bar to their vehicles.

A witness described Smith “struggling” with masked men before shots were fired, leaving him lying motionless in the parking lot, the complaint said.

Jurors were able to see surveillance footage of the incident. The video showed four men exiting a vehicle and approaching a white Jeep SUV that was parked in the parking lot next to Smith's vehicle. Soon more people came out of the bar and the four men dispersed.

Moments later, three of the men held their arms up as if aiming weapons while the fourth person physically fought with Smith, according to the complaint.

Shots were later fired before the men drove away in a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee. Police found casings from several different weapons at the scene, the complaint says.

More: Teen shooter sentenced to 13 years in prison for shooting at Milwaukee McDonald's that left two people dead

Earle said no fingerprints or DNA found at the crime scene linked Walton to the crime. He argued that the video evidence was too blurry to clearly prove his client was involved.

Earle urged jurors to be skeptical of Velazquez's testimony, saying his deal with prosecutors made him “not a credible witness.”

Looking Ahead – What’s next for the other men charged in the case?

Neal has scheduled a plea hearing for Nov. 7. A status conference for Stanton is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Velazquez has scheduled a status conference for Jan. 10.

Car thefts in Milwaukee are on the rise this year

According to Milwaukee police, 5,254 vehicle thefts have been reported so far this year. This number is up 3% compared to the same period in 2023, when a total of 6,277 such thefts were reported.

In 2022, 8,099 vehicles were stolen in the city.

According to an April report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle thefts continue to increase nationwide, with more than one million reported stolen in 2023. Kia and Hyundai vehicles were among the most stolen vehicles.

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