The homicide case over the January killing of Joseph "JoJo" Torres is heading back before a Sheboygan County judge, with 19-year-old Milwaukee resident Onterio M. Girley due in court tomorrow for a pretrial conference. Girley has pleaded not guilty to a felony murder-armed robbery charge and remains in the Sheboygan County Jail on cash bail as lawyers on both sides map out what could become a full trial.
Court records list Girley for a pretrial conference tomorrow, according to Seehafer News. The outlet reports he is charged with one count of felony murder-armed robbery in the Jan. 17 killing and is being held on $500,000 cash bail. Seehafer also notes that his co-defendant, 18-year-old Lawrence S. Buford, has entered a not guilty plea and is jailed on $1 million cash bail.
The shooting on the 1300 block of South 10th Street left Torres dead and an 18-year-old woman critically injured, as reported by TMJ4. Criminal complaints described to TMJ4 say the teens allegedly set up a gun trade with Torres but turned the meet-up into a robbery, and a witness told investigators one of the suspects admitted to firing shots. Neighbors shared doorbell-camera video of the frantic emergency response and said the quiet block was shaken by the sudden violence.
Family and friends laid Torres to rest in late January, and his obituary remembers him as a cherished son, brother and boyfriend, per Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home. The service information listed by Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home reflects the deep community grief and the memorials that followed. Relatives have kept up public appeals urging anyone with information to speak with investigators as the court case moves forward.
Upcoming court dates
Girley’s pretrial conference is scheduled for tomorrow, and Buford’s scheduling conference is set for April 14, according to court records reported by Seehafer News. Seehafer adds that both defendants were bound over for trial after judges found probable cause at earlier preliminary hearings. The upcoming sessions are expected to focus on motions, evidence sharing and any requests for added protections for witnesses.
Charges and possible penalties
If prosecutors secure a conviction, Girley faces a significantly lower maximum sentence than Buford. Local reporting notes that Girley’s single felony murder-armed robbery count carries a shorter statutory exposure than the potential life term prosecutors say Buford could face on a first-degree intentional homicide charge. TMJ4 reports that Buford is charged with multiple counts, including attempted homicide and armed robbery with use of force. Defense attorneys commonly use pretrial hearings to argue over counsel issues, challenge evidence and pursue possible suppression of statements or other key material.
Neighbors along South 10th Street are still coming to terms with the killing, and investigators say their work is not finished. Law enforcement continues to ask anyone with tips or video from the Jan. 17 shooting to contact Sheboygan authorities as the case moves into its next round of pretrial hearings.
