Friday, March 12, 2010

Demond Laster, Anthony Barnes Plead Not Guilty

Desmond D. Laster, 21, and Anthony E. Barnes, 23, pleaded not guilty in the murders of four people: Rachel Thompson and her young sons, Torian Thompson-Carter and Jaden Thompson-Carter, and Brittney Robertson.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The two men charged with four counts of first-degree intentional homicide, arson and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the deaths of Rachel Thompson, her two young children and another woman pleaded not guilty Friday during a preliminary hearing.

Desmond Dejaun Laster, 21, and Anthony E. Barnes Jr., 23, both appeared before Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Barry Slagle and were bound over for a jury trial. They're charged in the deaths of Thompson, 23, and her two children, Torian Thompson-Carter, 4, and Jaden Thompson-Carter, 3.

The three were found with plastic bags over their heads and their wrists and feet bound on Feb. 26 at a duplex in the 800 block of S. 12th St. Thompson had been stabbed numerous times, according to the medical examiner.

The two men also are accused of helping Laster's girlfriend, Brittney Thompson, kill Thompson and then set fire to the duplex to cover the deaths and the robbery of $800.

The two are also charged with killing Thompson later that day after police publicized her picture and said they feared for her safety.

Laster appeared Friday wearing only blue quilted jail garb that Slagle said indicated that he's on suicide watch.

Read the full criminal complaint.

Read some of the statements made by Laster and Barnes.

Desmond Laster stated that Rachel Thompson was still alive and gave Mr. Barnes the gun. Mr. Laster stated that he cut her and asked Mr. Barnes to shoot her. Desmond Laster stated, “I killed the babies.” At this time Mr. Barnes took the Glock handgun and walked into the living room where Rachel Thompson was leaning against the couch on the floor. He indicated that Rachel Thompson was moving a little bit. Mr. Barnes indicated that he stood over Rachel Thompson as she laid on the floor. He then closed his eyes and aimed the gun at her and fired a shot but he doesn’t know if he shot her or not.

...Mr. Barnes then met up with Desmond Laster later in the day. Mr. Laster told him that they were going to pick up Brittney Robertson. At this time Mr. Barnes grabbed a gun, the same gun that he has used at the scene of Rachel Thompson and the children’s murder. Mr. Barnes was then told by Desmond Laster that he has to take the gun which is wrapped it in a tshirt out and hid it so that Brittney Robertson doesn’t see it. Desmond Laster then told Mr. Barnes that they were going to kill Brittney Robertson because “she’s got to go.” Mr. Laster indicated that Brittney Robertson had become “too hot” and Desmond Laster and Anthony Barnes then got into a white Pontiac and Mr. Barnes unwrapped the gun and handed it to Desmond Laster. They then drove to Dineen Park where they picked up Brittney Robertson. Brittney Robertson was acting hyper because her face was on TV all day. Mr. Barnes then drove with Desmond Laster to around Mill Road and Hwy 100. They told Brittney Robertson that they were going to get marijuana, but that Mr. Barnes was aware that they were going to kill her. They then parked near some townhouses near Hwy 100 and Mill Road and that Desmond Laster and Brittney Robertson got out of the vehicle. Mr. Barnes got out of the vehicle after them. Mr. Barnes had his black pistol in his right pocket. Brittney Robertson and Desmond Laster were walking ahead of him and they walked through a wooden gate near a townhouse. Desmond Laster then got out of the way and told Mr. Barnes “now.” Mr. Barnes indicated that Brittney Robertson was close to the house. Mr. Barnes stated that he then took out the gun from his right pocket and shot Brittney Robertson in the back of the head. He had the gun close enough to her that he knew that he could not miss. He fired one shot at Brittney Robertson and that she fell. He and Desmond Laster then ran away. They shot her because she was “hot” and she was going to get caught and tell on them.

Not guilty?

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