Boy shooter accused of killing pregnant woman

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Milwaukee authorities charged 15-year-old Malik Merchant as an adult for allegedly shooting and killing 34-year-old Sharon Staples and her unborn child.

Staples had been four months pregnant when she refused Aug. 7 to hand over her purse to a pair of armed street robbers for whom Merchant served as a lookout. Staples’ 13-year-old son witnessed the shooting.

Police Chief Edward Flynn says two of the suspects have a history of gun crimes, and he blames a broken juvenile system for not dealing with violent young people effectively. Merchant’s bond was set at $150,000, though his attorneys tried unsuccessfully to get it lowered to $40,000.

The suspect is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. He’s due back in court on Friday, when a judge is expected to decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial.

Merchant’s public defender said his client does not have a previous criminal record.

Besides the son who witnessed the crime, Staples is survived by six other children aged 4-13.

Tags: crime and courts, wisconsin, crime