The Ralph Taylor case ended on April 23, 2026, when a Milwaukee County judge sentenced Taylor to life in prison without the possibility of extended supervision for the shooting death of his four-year-old son, Ralph “RJ” Taylor III. A jury had convicted him a month earlier of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.1FOX6 Now. Milwaukee 4-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Father Sentenced
What Happened the Night of the Shooting
On July 10, 2025, RJ Taylor was fatally shot inside a third-floor apartment near 75th Street and Northridge Lakes Boulevard in Milwaukee. He was four years old, autistic, and described by neighbors as a sweet child who communicated mostly by singing. He was alone in a bedroom with his father when he was shot.2Disability Memorial. Ralph Taylor III
Prosecutors said Ralph Taylor had been drinking and arguing with the boy’s mother, Casandra Taylor, before taking his son upstairs. Taylor later told police the couple had been “arguing over his lack of taking care of” the child shortly before the shooting.1FOX6 Now. Milwaukee 4-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Father Sentenced
Taylor’s Shifting Account to Police
Taylor first told investigators the fatal shot came from outside the home, entering through an open third-story window. Police did not find that plausible. They recovered a Glock semi-automatic handgun hidden inside a storage container in a third-floor closet. Taylor then changed his story, saying the gun had been under a pillow and that he heard the shot with his back turned to the child.1FOX6 Now. Milwaukee 4-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Father Sentenced
Prior Record and Domestic Violence History
Taylor was a convicted felon and could not legally possess a firearm. He also had a documented history of domestic incidents. He was arrested in 2020 and 2022 on allegations of battery and disorderly conduct tied to domestic abuse, though neither arrest led to charges. In 2023 he was arrested after his estranged wife reported he had threatened to “kick in her door and choke her.” That case ended in a guilty plea to resisting an officer, nine months of probation, and a required anger management course.3Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee Parents Charged in Shooting Death of 4-Year-Old Boy
A ten-year-old stepbrother told police Taylor had previously threatened to shoot Casandra Taylor, “shoot up the entire house,” and kill himself.3Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee Parents Charged in Shooting Death of 4-Year-Old Boy
The Trial
Taylor’s jury trial began March 9, 2026. Prosecutors argued he was intoxicated and angry the night of the shooting, upset that Casandra Taylor wanted to remove him from their son’s life. Witnesses testified he had been drinking beforehand.4FOX6 Now. Milwaukee Boy Fatally Shot, Father Trial
Taylor took the stand in his own defense on March 11. He admitted recklessly handling the firearm and deliberately lying to police, including fabricating outrage and inventing the outside-shooter story. Under cross-examination, District Attorney Matthew Torbenson asked whether he had been thinking about himself rather than his own child in the moments after the shooting. Taylor answered yes.4FOX6 Now. Milwaukee Boy Fatally Shot, Father Trial
Defense attorney Kerri Cleghorn argued the shooting was reckless but not intentional. She told the jury Taylor’s lies were driven by panic over possessing a gun he could not legally own, not by consciousness of guilt for murder. Taylor agreed on the stand that he had concocted the outside-shooter story after worrying about the illegal firearm.4FOX6 Now. Milwaukee Boy Fatally Shot, Father Trial
The jury deliberated the same day and returned a guilty verdict on both counts the next morning, March 12, 2026. Taylor was 35.5CBS 58. Trial Begins for Milwaukee Man Accused of Fatally Shooting 4-Year-Old Son
The Sentence and What the Judge Said
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Borowski sentenced Taylor to life without the possibility of extended supervision on April 23, 2026, meaning he cannot be released. Borowski spoke for more than 20 minutes before imposing sentence.1FOX6 Now. Milwaukee 4-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Father Sentenced
He dismissed Taylor’s trial testimony as a “monstrous lie” and mocked the defense theory of a shot from outside: “A magic bullet went up the third floor, turned again, and then went into your child’s mouth.” He called Taylor “the most monstrously evil human being” ever to sit before him and “evidence that evil exists in the world.”6News 8000. Milwaukee Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing of 4-Year-Old Borowski added that Taylor “needs to die in prison. Hopefully thinking about the carnage that he has wrought every single day.”1FOX6 Now. Milwaukee 4-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Father Sentenced
Taylor maintained his innocence when given a chance to speak: “I do still proclaim my innocence. I didn’t murder my boy. I didn’t do that. But I am responsible for it because I put him in a situation that wasn’t safe.”1FOX6 Now. Milwaukee 4-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Father Sentenced
The Mother’s Separate Case
Casandra Taylor was originally charged with neglecting a child (consequence is death) and straw purchasing a firearm. Prosecutors alleged she bought the Glock for Ralph Taylor knowing he was a convicted felon barred from possessing guns.7WISN. Milwaukee Court Commissioner Tells Father You Are a Baby Killer
On June 22, 2026, she pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of harboring or aiding a felon and was sentenced to five years of probation.8Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Mom Gets Probation in Fatal Shooting of Milwaukee Boy Ralph Taylor III