Mom found dead in alley, Milwaukee man charged in two murders – WISN

Report on Double Homicide in Milwaukee and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Summary

On November 5, a double homicide occurred in Milwaukee. The incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the abandonment of a minor child. A suspect has been charged and confessed to the crimes during an initial court appearance on November 16. The events highlight significant challenges related to public safety, justice, and social stability, directly impacting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Suspect: Kevin Griffin, 54
• Victims: Terrance Wilder, 39; A’nya Raymond, 31
• Charges: First-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Chronology of Events

1. The incident began at a residence near 12th Street and Capitol Drive, where Kevin Griffin, the homeowner, confronted Terrance Wilder during an eviction attempt.
2. Griffin fatally shot Wilder in his upstairs apartment unit. A’nya Raymond and her 7-year-old non-verbal, autistic son were present at the scene.
3. Griffin then forced Raymond and her son into a vehicle and drove away from the initial crime scene.
4. During the drive, Raymond attempted to defend herself with a knife and mace. Griffin responded by shooting her six times, resulting in her death. Her son witnessed the event.
5. The suspect disposed of Raymond’s body in an alley near 41st and Hampton Avenue.
6. Griffin subsequently abandoned Raymond’s 7-year-old son near 9th Street and Concordia Avenue. The child was found shoeless with blood on his clothing and was later reunited with his family.
7. Griffin confessed to both murders following his arrest.

Legal Proceedings and Suspect Profile

Kevin Griffin made his initial court appearance where prosecutors detailed the events. His profile and the current legal status present concerns related to institutional effectiveness and public safety.

• Criminal History: The suspect is a 14-time convicted felon, raising questions about recidivism and the efficacy of the justice system.
• Confession: Prosecutors stated that Griffin confessed to both homicides.
• Bail: Bond was set at $500,000 by the Milwaukee County Court Commissioner.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case serves as a critical example of the interconnectedness of social failures and their opposition to the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The incident is a stark violation of the principles of peace and justice. It underscores systemic weaknesses that SDG 16 aims to address.

• Target 16.1: The two homicides represent a direct failure to “significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.”
• Target 16.3: The suspect’s status as a 14-time felon suggests significant challenges in promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice, including effective rehabilitation and prevention of re-offense.
• The ongoing court proceedings are a function of the justice system intended to provide accountability and remedy for the victims and society.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The violence had devastating consequences for the victims’ health and the well-being of the surviving child witness.

• Target 3.4: The loss of two lives directly contravenes the goal of promoting well-being. The profound and lasting psychological trauma inflicted on the 7-year-old child who witnessed his mother’s murder is a critical mental health concern.
• The child’s pre-existing vulnerabilities as a non-verbal individual with autism amplify the need for specialized, long-term support services.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The murder of A’nya Raymond can be analyzed within the framework of violence against women.

• Target 5.2: This event contributes to the statistic of violence against women, highlighting the urgent need to “eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The safety and inclusivity of communities are central to SDG 11, both of which were severely compromised.

• Target 11.1: Violent crime undermines the goal of making cities and human settlements safe and resilient.
• The act of abandoning a vulnerable child on a city street represents a profound failure of community safety and social cohesion.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The conflict’s origin in a housing eviction points to broader societal issues that can foster violence.

• The dispute over housing is indicative of potential economic precarity and inequality, which can be underlying drivers of conflict and violence within communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• The primary SDG addressed in the article is SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The article’s entire focus is on a violent crime, its impact on victims and their families, and the subsequent engagement with the justice system. It details multiple homicides, violence against a child, and the judicial process for the accused perpetrator.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
  • This target is directly relevant as the article reports on the violent deaths of two individuals, 39-year-old Terence Wilder and 31-year-old Aniya Raymond. The text explicitly describes them as victims of a shooting, stating Griffin “shot and killed a man” and “shot Raymond six times, killing her.”
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
  • This target is addressed through the harrowing experience of Aniya Raymond’s seven-year-old non-verbal son. The article states the child was “forced to witness it all” (his mother’s murder) and was later “abandoned near Ninth and Keefe,” found “shoeless with blood on his pants.” This constitutes a severe form of psychological violence and abuse against a child.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
  • The article highlights the functioning of the justice system. It mentions the suspect, Kevin Griffin, “makes his first court appearance,” is “charged with first-degree intentional homicide,” and that prosecutors have his confession. The family’s search for “justice for her daughter” also underscores this target. Furthermore, the article points to a potential failure in the system by noting the suspect is a “felon 14 times over,” which raises questions about the effectiveness of the rule of law in preventing recidivism and protecting the public.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 16.1:
  • The article provides data directly related to Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age. It explicitly names two victims of intentional homicide, their ages (39 and 31), and their genders, contributing to the raw data for this indicator.
• For Target 16.2:
  • The experience of the seven-year-old child serves as a qualitative case study for indicators measuring violence against children, such as Indicator 16.2.1 (Proportion of children who experienced psychological aggression). The description of him witnessing his mother’s murder and being abandoned is a stark example of the kind of violence this target aims to eliminate.
• For Target 16.3:
  • The article implies a measure related to the effectiveness of the justice system. The fact that the suspect was a “14 time felon” is an implicit indicator of high recidivism rates. While not a formal UN indicator, recidivism is a key metric used to evaluate the success of criminal justice institutions in promoting the rule of law and ensuring public safety. The initial conflict, an eviction that escalated to murder, also points to a failure of peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, which is related to Indicator 16.3.3 (Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute…and who accessed a formal or informal dispute-resolution mechanism).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wisn.com