Milwaukee teen testifies in stepdad's trial over mother's death

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The trial of a Milwaukee man accused in connection with the shooting death of a local mother is underway.

Prosecutors say the woman’s 17-year-old son fired a gun inside their home to try to stop his stepfather from hitting her. Now, that stepfather is facing trial for her death.

Jurors heard testimony Wednesday, including a 911 call and the teen’s own account of the night.

Court documents say the incident happened in April of last year inside an apartment near 15th and Cherry.

Investigators say 17-year-old Jaylen Gray tried to intervene as his stepfather, Ziare Dalton, was hitting his mother, Amber Gray.

Jaylen told the court the conflict between him and Dalton had been building for years. He said, “Me and Ziare have a long history of not seeing at the same level based off how he treats my mama.”

An 11-year-old also was inside the apartment that night and later told police there was a lot of yelling, bad words, and things dropping while Dalton was hitting their mother.

Prosecutors played part of the 911 call Amber Gray made just before gunfire erupted.

Milwaukee Detective Michael Braunreiter testified about what stood out to him as he listened. He said, “She says he needs to be removed. There is another portion where she said, 'he’s going to kill my son,' and then getting the address and asking for help.”

Investigators say about 10 gunshots can be heard on the call before it goes silent.

Prosecutors say Jaylen fired the gun in the struggle, and one of the bullets struck his mother.

Jaylen said he ran from the house to his grandmother’s home, not realizing his mother had been hit. He said, “Hearing my mama pleading for help like that put my mind in a different place, that I have to go help my mama.”

His mother later died from her injuries.

The defense also questioned Jaylen about why he did not turn himself in immediately after the shooting.

Jaylen later told the court he turned himself in eight days after the shooting, explaining he needed time to process what had happened.

Dalton survived multiple gunshot wounds and is charged with felony murder in connection with Amber Gray’s death.