MILWAUKEE -- A 42-year-old Milwaukee man has been charged in connection with the shooting death of Tzegai Hinson. Hinson's body was found in trash bin near 5th and Wright on Saturday, June 11th.
Demarius Cage
Demarius Cage is facing one count of first degree intentional homicide, two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to a criminal complaint, around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th a Milwaukee police officer was flagged down in the area of 5th and Wright by a citizen who indicated that he smelled a foul odor coming from a garbage cart.
The officer located the body of Tzegai Hinson inside the duct-taped garbage cart.
An autopsy determined Hinson died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators spoke with Hinson's sister and brother. They indicated that Hinson left Georgia with the intent to drop his daughter off in Chicago. He then had plans to travel to Milwaukee to meet someone who owed him money.
Detectives were able to review phone records belonging to Hinson. Those records indicated that Hinson's last phone contact was on June 6th -- and was with a number associated with Demarious Cage.
Homicide at 5th and Wright
According to the complaint, detectives were able to use the SKU number on the garbage cart to determine it was purchased on June 6th from a Home Depot. Other items purchased at that time included bleach, rubber gloves, duct tape, towels, mop accessories and an automotive jack.
Surveillance video from the Home Depot was able to determine that the individuals involved in the transaction left the store in a silver Chevrolet Traverse.
According to the complaint, the owner of the Chevrolet Traverse told investigators that they gave Cage a ride to Home Depot on June 6th. That individual stated that Cage picked out "a garbage cart, a jack and other items."
Homicide at 5th and Wright
Detectives then reviewed phone records for the number associated with Cage -- which revealed that on June 7th that phone was in the area where the garbage bin was recovered from.
On June 21st, Hinson's unoccupied vehicle was located. Detectives noted the vehicle had marks consistent with recently being lifted with the assistance of a jack.
On June 27th officers went to a residence near 39th Street and Hope Avenue in an effort to locate Cage. The complaint indicates Cage was located within with home and arrested.
A subsequent search of the residence revealed a .380 caliber firearm, $17,600 in currency, .71 grams of cocaine, 1672.12 grams of marijuana, 388.43 grams of heroin, packaging materials, plastic zip-lock bags, and a digital scale.
According to the criminal complaint, "The amount of controlled substances in combination with the money, baggies, and scale recovered are indicative of dealing controlled substances rather than personal use. Also located at the residence was an empty box of garbage bags and an empty can of bleach. This can of bleach was consistent with the type of bleach purchased from the Home Depot on June 6th."
According to the complaint, Cage denied knowing Hinson. He also denied being at the Home Depot or making any purchases.