Jury trials approaching for those accused of killing Evon Young

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The family of Evon Young, who went missing on New Year's Day, says they're expecting the upcoming jury trials of those accused of murdering their loved one to bring back painful memories.

"I still don't know what happened," said Charles Perry, Young's stepfather. "Really, I just want to know the true story and what really took place."

Five men were charged in connection with Young's death, though his body has never been found. In February, police called off a search for the body in a Menomonee Falls landfill after two and a half weeks.

"That would have brought a lot more closure to the family. We had to have a memorial instead of a funeral," added Perry.

According to the criminal complaint, the men took Young into a basement, put a bag over his head, choked and beat him, then ended his life with three gunshots.

Young's sister, Harmonee Fletcher, wants a harsh sentence for all five men.

"They were all there. Nobody tried to stop it so I feel like they all deserve life," said Fletcher.

Victor Stewart pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second degree reckless homicide, party to a crime, on Wednesday, June 5th. He is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

Perry said he was once friends with Stewart and that his guilty plea is a step in the right direction.

"Maybe some of what I think about him as a person is true. That is a decent person at heart, you know, and that he doesn't want to see any of them get away with what took place," said Perry.

The first of the jury trials in Young's death are scheduled to begin next week.