Life in prison for London White, convicted in shooting death of 16-year-old during drug deal
London White
WAUKESHA COUNTY -- The man convicted of fatally shooting a teen during a drug deal near the Bugline Trail in Sussex, has learned his fate. 23-year-old London White was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, August 9th.
White in May was found guilty by a jury of one count of first degree intentional homicide, and one count of possession with intent to deliver less than 200 grams of THC, as party to a crime. He has a restitution hearing set for October 11th.
Family members of the victim and White spoke during his sentencing hearing.
"The horror of your actions have sucked the life out of our family," Karen Glapinski, aunt of 16-year-old George Erickson, who passed away on June 16th, 2016, after the shooting on May 14th, 2016.
Niikwame Bell
White's co-defendant, 20-year-old Niikwame Bell in September of 2016 pleaded no contest to one count of maintaining a drug trafficking place and one count of possession with intent to deliver THC, less than 200 grams, as party to a crime -- amended charges. In October, he was sentenced to serve one-and-a-half years in prison, and five years extended supervision.
Charges were amended after the 16-year-old shooting victim, George Erickson, passed away on June 16th.
White has been in custody since the early morning hours of May 16th, 2016 -- two days after the shooting.
Bell was arrested on May 14th, 2016, shortly after the shooting.
Bell was accused of driving White to Sussex for a drug transaction on May 14th -- where he intended to purchase nearly $1,000 worth of marijuana.
London White
"Mr. White, it's hard to put into words the devastation and grief you have caused our family," Lynn Stoeveken, Erickson's aunt said.
Witnesses told investigators Erickson, who set up the drug deal, planned to rip buyers off. The deal soured and a shootout ensued. Erickson later died.
"George Erickson did what he did, but he did not deserve to be executed. He did not deserve to be executed," Judge Ralph Ramirez said.
White's brother spoke during his sentencing.
"Yes, George might have gotten the bad end of the stick, but he provoked the bad end of the stick. We would not be here today if he wouldn't have did that. We wouldn't be here today if London wouldn't have did what he did," Lance White said.
Ultimately, it was Erickson's mother, speaking of the loss of her only son, who had the biggest impact on the court.
"I've had over a year to come up with words for you, and I'm still at a loss of words," Kimberly Erickson said.
Niikwame Bell
According to a criminal complaint, a witness told investigators that the 16-year-old victim in this case had set up a drug deal -- where he intended to "rip people off." This witness said around 1:00 p.m. on May 14th, the 16-year-old boy and three others were at a home, when the victim said they were "going to do a deal for between $700 and $1,000 worth of marijuana -- a quarter pound."
The victim said his plan was to get into the backseat of the buyers' vehicle -- and then ask for the money, leaving a backpack in the vehicle before fleeing. The victim said he did not actually have a quarter pound of marijuana to sell.
According to this witness, the victim said they would split the money four/five ways after they "ripped these guys off."
It was determined the victim and one other person would go to the buyers' vehicle, while the two others waited near the Bugline Trail.
One person who was with the 16-year-old shooting victim said when they arrived at the location near the Bugline Trail and the Pick 'n Save store in Sussex, a black man in the buyers' front passenger seat (London White) rolled down the window and said: "Which one of you is doing this?"
The 16-year-old boy then said: "I am."
White then asked that the 16-year-old boy get into the vehicle, and the boy entered the vehicle via the rear passenger side door.
Bell told investigators White had a .380 Black Cobra gun, and the 16-year-old victim had a .357 revolver that he pulled out while in the car -- while asking White and Bell for the money -- eventually grabbing the money from White, according to the complaint.
Less than a minute later, a person who was with the 16-year-old boy said the boy took off running towards the Bugline Trail -- as White fired five to six shots from a handgun at the 16-year-old boy. A witness told investigators they saw the shooter standing over the 16-year-old victim -- giving him "one last shot."
Bell told investigators the victim and White were shooting at each other during this incident.
A witness was flagged down and called 911. Officials were notified of the shooting around 3:30 p.m.
After the shooting in Sussex, prosecutors say Niikwame Bell led Butler police on a chase, after his vehicle was spotted near 124th and Silver Spring Drive. That pursuit was eventually terminated.
The complaint indicates a .357 revolver was found on 119th Street between Capitol and Hampton, along with multiple $50 and $20 bills that appeared counterfeit. The pursuing Butler police officer noted that Bell was throwing items from the vehicle during the pursuit, according to the complaint. Officials also recovered a plastic baggie that appeared to contain marijuana.
Investigators learned that a serial number from one of the bills matched a ripped $50 bill found at the shooting scene in Sussex.
According to the complaint, Bell was apprehended on May 14th after he reported to the Wauwatosa Police Department that his vehicle had been taken in a carjacking at approximately 3:15 p.m.
The complaint indicates Bell said he was visiting his aunt near 121st and Burleigh when someone carjacked him.
Wauwatosa police transported Bell to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department where he was turned over to detectives.
According to the complaint, Bell eventually admitted to detectives that his vehicle had not been stolen.
He said he and another person had gone to Sussex on May 14th to "smoke some weed," and "buy some dope." Bell admitted he gave that person a ride to Sussex for this purpose. Bell indicated his passenger had set up a deal for an $800 to $1,000 drug transaction. Bell told investigators his passenger and another individual had produced firearms and "exchanged shots," according to the complaint.
Eventually, investigators learned Bell had dumped the car near 84th and Capitol Drive after White jumped out.
The complaint indicates Bell threw both guns from the vehicle during the pursuit.
White was taken into custody on May 16th at a home in Milwaukee.
Niikwame Bell and London White
The complaint indicates he initially told investigators he was home with his girlfriend all weekend.
Text messages were retrieved by investigators from two cell phones belonging to White. Those text messages confirmed the drug transaction that occurred in Sussex, and investigators were also able to observe a text message conversation between White and a friend, in which White stated:
"I'm in trouble. I shot somebody yesterday. He robbed me for g. I got it back. Shot 'em. I ran from police. Kwame did. He caught m. It happened yesterday. It was on the news. Read it on FOX6Now. Don't say anything. They don't know what I look like or who shot who. Promise. He ain't die tho. Kwame in jail. He would not talk cause they ain't looking for me so I know that part but I'm just basically low fillies dead and he free. Call me when you can. I'll explain what happen. (sic)"