Cousins charged in connection with fatal shooting of pizza delivery driver appear in court

MILWAUKEE -- Two cousins charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Clarence Taper, a pizza delivery driver, were in court on Monday afternoon, October 2nd for their preliminary hearings.

The accused are 25-year-old D'Andre Kennedy and 17-year-old Mekael Kennedy.

Here are the charges the two suspects now face:


    In court on Monday, D'Andre Kennedy waived his preliminary hearing, and was bound over for trial. He has pleaded not guilty. A scheduling conference was set for October 19th.

    As for Mekael Kennedy, his preliminary hearing proceeded, and a Milwaukee Police Department detective testified. A motion to dismiss from the defense was denied by the court -- and probable cause was found for further proceedings. He'll be in court on October 19th for his arraignment.

    Clarence Taper



    60-year-old Clarence Taper was apparently robbed while delivering an order to the neighborhood near 75th and Glenbrook on the city's northwest side last Friday, September 15th. Taper was a father, grandfather and dedicated employee at Buddy's Pizza and Steak.

    Prosecutors say Mekael Kennedy ordered a pizza with the intent to rob Taper. When Taper arrived at an apartment near 75th and Glenbrook, investigators say Mekael Kennedy pulled out a gun to rob him. According to the criminal complaint, Mekael Kennedy told police "he shot the driver because the driver jumped at him." He said he "thought the gun was on safety and he did not know how the gun went off." The complaint indicates after the robbery, Mekael Kennedy "brought the pizza into the apartment" and he and D'Andre Kennedy ate the food.

    Fatal shooting near 75th and Glenbrook



    The complaint indicates when police talked with D'Andre Kennedy, he took the gun from Mekael "and emptied the clip and put the clip back in the gun." He then "cleaned the gun with Clorox wipes because he knew it could be traced to him so he cleaned Mekael's fingerprints off of the gun."

    D'Andre Kennedy was arrested and charged for lying to investigators and destroying evidence.

    Fatal shooting near 75th and Glenbrook



    Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.