Milwaukee Mother Confronts Son’s Killer in Court

A  Milwaukee man who pleaded guilty last month to second-degree reckless homicide, as party to a crime, and one count of possession with intent to deliver THC, less than 200 grams, was sentenced Friday to 14 years in prison and nine years of extended supervision for the homicide and one year of prison for the drug charges in addition to one year of extended supervision.

Skylard Grant, 34 pleaded guilty on March 12 to fatally shooting Antwone Berry and dumping his body in a ditch off of Fond du Lac Ave in Milwaukee on Christmas Day, 2017. Berry’s girlfriend reported him missing on December 28, 2017 after multiple attempts to reach him. According to the criminal complaint, his girlfriend told police that Berry had been with his friend known as “Nip,” who later was identified as Grant.

Berry’s body was found on January 7, 2018 by a man walking his dog. He had a gunshot wound to his head and one to his stomach. According to court documents, the body had been covered by several inches of snow and was found once the snow started to melt. According to the criminal complaint, Grant was upset that Berry hadn’t put more money in his account when Grant was in jail. Berry had a difficult childhood and left behind a young son.

According to the criminal complaint, Grant shot Berry with Berry’s own 9mm gun and then traded it on the street. The new gun was discovered by police on top of Grant’s parole paperwork. The murder weapon has not been found.

Prosecutor Grant Ian Huebner asked the judge to take Grant’s past convictions into account when considering the sentence as Berry’s family tearfully looked on.

“Christmas will go on to be the day where Antwone Berry was murdered, the defendant has not accepted responsibility completely. The family needs closure,” said Huebner. 

Grant’s past five convictions include theft and felony gun charges.

“Antwone Berry’s body was found in a ditch thrown away with trash and weeds, the defendant talked to the Antwone everyday but that stopped after he went missing. He stopped talking to him because he knew he wouldn’t respond, because he killed him,” said Huebner.

Berry’s mother Melissa Berry addressed the court.

“They were best friends. It’s senseless; you threw him away like a piece of trash,” said Melissa Berry as she sobbed, addressing Grant.

“I need to forgive him, but it’s not fair because I’ll never see Antwone again,” said Berry.

Antwone Berry’s father, Edward Christiansen, addressed the court.

“That Christmas Day was the first vacation that I had in 20 years and then I get that phone call,” Christiansen said. “No parent should have to live with this, you killed him over a few dollars,” Christiansen said to Grant.

Grant’s attorney Susan Marie Roth advocated for lenient sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison.

“He’s not beyond hope. Yes, he’s reactionary, but he’s also been cooperative and polite,” said Roth. “He was able to get his GED while incarcerated.”

Judge Jeffrey Wagner addressed Grant.

“I’m not so certain about your rehabilitation aspect based on your history,” said Wagner. “This was a senseless type of offense. You are your own worst enemy and there’s no doubt about that.”

Grant addressed the court and Berry’s family.

“I was involved in the death of Mr. Berry, and I feel really bad about that,” said Grant.

However, Grant went to explain that the circumstances around Berry’s death were “complicated.”

“I know I have a history that is real bad. I’m charged with my best friend’s murder, I haven’t had the chance to grieve,” said Grant.  “At the end of the day, we have lost a life, I didn’t do it, but I did it,” said Grant.

“There are circumstances that are hard to explain and I wish I would’ve done things different,” said Grant.