Jurors unable to reach verdict in Billy Griffin case, mistrial declared
MILWAUKEE (WITI) — A Milwaukee County judge called a mistrial in the Billy Griffin case Monday, June 17th after jurors failed to reached a verdict. Griffin is one of the five men charged in connection with the death of Evon Young.
Billy Griffin along with 37-year-old Ron Allen, 23-year-old Devin Seaberry, 18-year-old Ashanti Mcalister and 27-year-old Victor Stewart face first-degree intentional homicide charges. The charges come with a maximum life in prison sentence upon conviction.
Young was reported missing on January 2nd by his mother.
According to the criminal complaint in the case, the five defendants were at Young’s home when his roommate (Billy Griffin) accused Young of stealing. Investigators say the defendants took Young to the basement, put a bag over his head, beat him with tools and took turns strangling him with a chain before ending his life with three gunshots.
Investigators believe Griffin may have served as an observer to Young's torture.
"Looking at him now, it's hard -- but it's something we have to do. In the end, they'll reap what they sow," Charles Perry -- Young's stepfather said.
Young's family must now endure another trial for Griffin -- something they say is frustrating.
"It's a moment that's leaving everybody with a lot of disgust and anger," Perry said.
The new trial may also mean Young's mother having to testify again.
Young's body was reportedly dumped and taken to a landfill -- but after several searches, his body was never found.
"To already not have a body to mourn -- to have to retell the stories and then see that in court a year later -- it just reopens the wounds. It's not easy," Perry said.
Perry describes the situation as putting justice on pause. He is convinced Young, who goes by the rap name Yung LT would want the men responsible for his death to face the music.
"It's all worth it for the simple fact that LT would want us to go as far as we could to make sure the people that took him from this earth pay for what they did," Perry said.
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