Milwaukee man pleads guilty in killing of 5-year-old Prince McCree
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Erik Mendoza, an 18-year-old charged in the murder of 5-year-old Prince McCree, pleaded guilty on Monday, Feb. 16.
A jury trial was expected to begin, but Mendoza entered a guilty plea to first degree intentional homicide, party to a weapon. It's a felony charge that serves a mandatory life sentence. Mendoza also plead guilty to four other felony counts.
“We are scheduled for trial today. Mr. Mendoza is dressed for trial but it is my understanding that the parties have reached a resolution," said Judge Michelle Havas in court.
Back in October of 2023, McCree was reported missing by his mother, who kept him home from school that day because he was sick. His body was found the next day, duct-taped and bagged in a dumpster near Hawley and Vliet, nearly one mile from where he was first reported missing.
Investigators say Investigators say Mendoza and 27-year-old David Pietura strangled and beat McCree to death. Both lived in the same building as McCree's family. Pietura told investigators he saw Mendoza strangling McCree.
Prince McCree
Erik Mendoza
The two then beat McCree with a barbell, golf club, and a birdbath.
Investigators say they then dumped his body in a dumpster.
Pietura pleaded guilty to first degree intentional homicide in June of 2024 and was sentenced to life in prison.
Mendoza initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He was subjected to two psychological evaluations.
Following McCree's death, the Prince Act was signed into state law by Gov. Tony Evers that allows emergency alerts for missing kids who don't meet the nationwide Amber Alert criteria.
Mendoza will be back in court in June to be sentenced.