BURLINGTON — A homicide defendant has pleaded not guilty in the January shooting death of Burlington resident Jason Taylor.
William E. McCoy, 29, is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on a charge of first-degree reckless homicide with modifiers for use of a dangerous weapon and party to a crime.
If convicted, he could face up to 65 years in prison.
McCoy is accused of killing Taylor, 43, of Burlington, who was found dead about 4 a.m. Jan. 9 on Milwaukee’s north side.
Prosecutors allege McCoy and Taylor were in a group driving together , and that McCoy shot Taylor in the head after someone told the McCoy that Taylor had been “talking about him.”
McCoy was arrested Jan. 17 on an unrelated charge, and the Milwaukee County district attorney charged him Feb. 19 in connection to Taylor’s death.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court records show McCoy pleaded not guilty Thursday following a preliminary hearing.
Circuit Court Commissioner Barry Phillips ordered McCoy to be held for trial on the reckless homicide charge. Bond was set at $150,000.
McCoy will have a scheduling hearing May 7.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine, in photos
Pastors share prayer and opening remarks at National Gun Violence Awareness Day
Park High School Pantherette Step Team
Ladies of Virtue, Jerstad-Agerholm poms dance team
Nakeyda Haymer
Nakeyda Haymer, center, the Voices of Black Mothers United state lead and Racine County Violent Crime Reduction coordinator, organized the National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Carmen Lerma
Carmen Lerma, community relations representative for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, speaks to attendees of the National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Ring sales
Park High School students sell rings they made in Beginning Art Metals class for “A Case for Change” project at the National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Ring sales
Park High School students Legend Malone, left, and Greyson Anchondo sell handmade wire rings that are partly composed of spent shell casings at the National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday. The rings are a part of the “A Case for Change” project. Park High School teacher Stephen Quirke chats with Park High School student Ariana Vaughn next to them.
Rachel Kubik
Shopping
Attendees shop "A Case for Change" rings from Park High School students at the National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Visiting resource tables
Attendees visit resource tables at the National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Raymond Ellison
Raymond Ellison writes names on a poster of who he wears orange for at a National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Raymond Ellison
Raymond Ellison writes names on a poster of who he wears orange for at a National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Ladies of Virtue
Makayla Wise, left, and KeyAnna Holmes, right, dance with their team, the Ladies of Virtue, a pom squad at Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School, at a rally against gun violence in Downtown Racine Friday. Holmes is the dance team captain.
Rachel Kubik
Jump
The Ladies of Virtue, a pom squad at Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School, do a jump during a performance at a National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Shania Harris and Niyaa Banks
Shania Harris, left, and Niyaa Banks, right, on Friday dances with their team, the Ladies of Virtue, a pom squad at Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School.
Rachel Kubik
Niyaa Banks
Niyaa Banks, center, on Friday dances with her team, the Ladies of Virtue, a pom squad at Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School.
Rachel Kubik
The Ladies of Virtue
The Ladies of Virtue, a pom squad at Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School, dance during a National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
The Ladies of Virtue
The Ladies of Virtue, a pom squad at Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School, dance during a National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Park High School Pantherette Step Team
The Park High School Pantherette Step Team gets ready to perform at a National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
Pantherettes
The Park High School Pantherette Step Team performs at a National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally held in Downtown Racine on Friday.
Rachel Kubik
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