Trial underway for Sylvester Lewis, accused of shooting Sierra Guyton

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Jury selection was completed and opening statements were made on Monday, November 3rd in the case against 19-year-old Sylvester Lewis. He's the man charged in connection with the playground shooting that killed 10-year-old Sierra Guyton.

Guyton was shot in the head while playing on a playground near 28th and Clarke in Milwaukee — feet from her home on Wednesday evening, May 21st. She passed away on July 13th.

Guyton's mother took the stand in Lewis' trial on Monday.

"My niece said she was holding her on the playground and she was saying 'please God, don't let me die. I'm not ready to go,' and that's one thing a little girl shouldn't have to be going through," Latanya Anderson said.

Lewis faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide, one count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. All three charges are felonies.

According to the criminal complaint, Lewis and 28-year-old Jamey Jackson were shooting at each other, when the child was caught in the crossfire — and shot. Lewis told police he was in the area of 28th and Clarke on May 21st because he was going to a school in the area to visit someone — according to the complaint. The complaint says Lewis admitted to police he was armed with a 9mm handgun that was loaded with several .380 cartridges.

According to police, Lewis has been arrested 15 times by the Milwaukee Police Department during his young life — and is a convicted felon.

CLICK HERE to read a collection of stories related to the shooting of 10-year-old Sierra Guyton via FOX6Now.com