MILWAUKEE, WI – Prosecutors say a Milwaukee man facing a murder charge now stands accused of plotting to kill witnesses in his case while behind bars.
DeAndre Williams, 22, appeared in court Saturday to face four new felony counts of solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide. Authorities allege that Williams attempted to recruit a fellow inmate to eliminate key witnesses who could testify against him in a pending homicide trial.
During Williams’ court appearance, the details of the plot were laid out. According to court officials, Williams told his cellmate to “slide on her and shut her up,” referencing one of the witnesses. The remark, which came to light during a bond hearing, drew sharp rebukes from the court commissioner overseeing the case.
Williams, visibly emotional and at one point in tears during the hearing, was told by the commissioner that his courtroom demeanor was at odds with the serious nature of the allegations. The court pointedly noted the gravity of officers’ claims regarding Williams’ actions in jail.
Court documents allege that Williams compiled a list of 10 individuals — including key witnesses and people familiar with his character — and tried to solicit a cellmate he believed would soon be released to arrange their murder. Williams is quoted in the complaint as saying, “No face, no case,” suggesting a desire to avoid being tied to the alleged murders.
The cellmate ultimately reported the solicitation attempt to his attorney, who notified authorities. This led Milwaukee prosecutors to file the additional solicitation charges.
Williams has been in custody since February, charged with the murder of 17-year-old Romell Campbell. The fatal shooting took place September 23, 2024, outside a liquor store on Milwaukee’s north side. According to the criminal complaint, Williams confronted Campbell after exiting the store, allegedly pistol-whipping him and then fatally shooting him during a dispute.
At the time of his arrest, Williams was listed among Wisconsin’s Most Wanted. He eventually surrendered to police after being spotlighted by law enforcement.
Williams has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder charge. His bond remains set at $310,000. The court set Williams’ next hearing for July 15 as the investigation into the witness killing plot continues.
Williams faces decades in prison if convicted on the homicide or solicitation charges. Prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of targeting witnesses and the broader threat such allegations pose to the judicial process.