Milwaukee resident Melvin Hintson‑Reed, 39, entered not guilty pleas Monday in Washington County Circuit Court to attempted first‑degree intentional homicide and child‑abuse charges tied to a June 2025 stabbing in Germantown. The brief hearing also featured a twist on the defense side, as Hintson‑Reed asked to replace his attorney. The court scheduled another appearance for May 13, and he remains in the Washington County Jail on a $2 million cash bond.
Court appearance and plea
Hintson‑Reed formally pleaded not guilty to two felony counts and asked the judge to let his current lawyer withdraw, citing “attorney misconduct and judicial reassignment,” according to Greater Milwaukee Today. That outlet reports that Judge Gordon Leech is now assigned to the case and has set a May 13 hearing, when the court is expected to take up the defense request and map out the next steps toward trial.
Allegations in the criminal complaint
Prosecutors say the case traces back to the early morning of June 15, 2025, at an apartment in the 11000 block of Legend Avenue in Germantown. Officers called to the scene found a 41‑year‑old woman with a stab wound to the chest and a 15‑year‑old girl with cuts, according to CBS58. The teen reportedly hit the attacker with a piece of wood during the struggle and then performed CPR on the woman.
Surveillance video and police reports indicate a semi‑truck left the area shortly after the attack, and Indiana authorities later arrested Hintson‑Reed following a pursuit and crash near Portage, WTMJ reports.
Charges, bond and possible sentence
Washington County prosecutors have charged Hintson‑Reed with attempted first‑degree intentional homicide and child abuse with a high probability of great harm. Both counts carry a dangerous‑weapon enhancer, according to local reporting.
At an earlier hearing, Judge Michael Kenitz set bond at $2 million cash, FOX6 reports. Court records reviewed by Greater Milwaukee Today indicate the charges could add up to as much as 82.5 years in prison and $25,000 in fines, with an extra five years possible on each count because of the weapon enhancer.
Background and what’s next
Authorities say Hintson‑Reed was taken into custody in Indiana after the multi‑state pursuit and crash, then extradited to Washington County to face charges, according to earlier local coverage. His next court date is May 13, when the judge is expected to decide whether his current attorney can withdraw and to set additional pretrial deadlines.
