Cashmere Williams, 16, entered not guilty pleas Nov. 21, 2023 for a shooting in Erb Park in Appleton and for a charge related to a fight in the jail. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Cashmere Williams was sentenced Friday for a shooting at an Appleton park.
Judge Mark McGinnis sentenced Williams to 14 years in prison, followed by 16 years on extended supervision for the July 31 shooting at Erb Park.
Before being sentenced, Williams, 17, read a statement, becoming increasingly emotional.
In part, he said:
I feel wrong for what I did. I also think I’m a victim, too. I was beaten up by a group of people all bigger than me that day before my crime occurred. I could have been killed.
But it’s OK. I learned life is not fair. My choices is the reason I’m being punished worse than others. I am OK with that and I accept everything coming to me.
I’m sorry for my bad choices because there were lots of kids at the park and they are probably traumatized now. From now on, I’m going to try my best to have positive actions.
Williams was convicted of one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide as part of a plea deal in May. At that hearing, he confessed to the shooting, saying he took a gun to the park in response to being jumped the previous day by a group of people including the eventual shooting victim. When he saw the victim, he said his anger “overpowered” him and he fired at the victim.
The victim was shot in the arm and abdomen, but survived.
In Wisconsin, children ages 10 to 16 facing most homicide-related counts are charged in adult court. McGinnis earlier denied a defense request to have the case moved to juvenile court.
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