Tequila Cole, one of WI's Most Wanted, accused in 2014 murder pleads not guilty

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- 21-year-old Tequila Cole, who was twice featured on Wisconsin's Most Wanted was in court on Thursday, June 9th for her preliminary hearing.

Tequila Cole

Cole is facing one count of first degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon -- accused in the 2014 murder of Alonna Thomas.

In court on Thursday, probable cause was found for Cole to stand trial in this case. She has pleaded not guilty.

Cole will next be in court on June 22nd for a scheduling conference.

Police say in 2014, Cole shot and killed Thomas following an argument.

Police say Cole turned herself in at the Milwaukee County Jail on May 30th.

In court on Wednesday, cash bond was set at $250,000. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 9th.

Tequila Cole

Three-and-a-half-year-old Lyric is being raised by her grandparents.

Lyric

Arvaya Corbins

"She's just a bundle of happiness and joy," Arvaya Corbins said.

Lyric's mom, Alonna Thomas was shot and killed two weeks after Lyric's second birthday.

"A lot of Alonna is in her daughter. I see so much of her," Corbins said.

In the time it has taken for Lyric's memories of her mother to fade, Thomas' alleged killer has been at large.

Finally, on Memorial Day, she turned herself in.

Alonna Thomas

"I'm happy she did it -- but I really wish she would have done it a year-and-a-half ago and we would have been able to start our healing," Corbins said.

Thomas' mom has described the time since her daughter's death as "torturous."

Alonna Thomas

"Driving down the street I found myself looking into different cars to see if I would recognize her," Corbins said.

Prosecutors say Thomas and Cole met at 29th and Locust for a fight. Witnesses told police the women were upset because "they share the same man" -- the father of Thomas' child.

A criminal complaint says Cole fired shots until her gun clicked. Thomas died from a gunshot wound to her back shoulder.

"For her to shoot a gun so frivolously in the air like that, anyone could have been impacted," Corbins said.

Alonna Thomas and Lyric

Corbins described Lyric's mom as a protective one. Now, she's focused on protecting her granddaughter, and giving her a happy home.

"She's really, really growing, excelling. ABCs. She spells her name," Corbins said.

Thomas'  mother said she's ready for the justice system to get to work in this case.