Brothers convicted of killing baby, shooting police

Tollie Hatcher will appear in court on July 2, 2024.

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — Two brothers were convicted Tuesday in the death of a Muskegon baby and shooting at police officers investigating the incident.

It was an emotional day as the victim's mother gave her statement in a Muskegon courtroom. Now, the person responsible for killing her 6-month-old daughter faces years in prison.

“You were cool in high school. If I knew you would give me a life like this, I would have never talked to you in high school,” Cory'Asia Washington said.

On April 7, 2023, 6-month-old A'Dourr Malone was shot and killed in a home on East Isabella Avenue near Ransom Street in Muskegon.

The person responsible is Julio Casiano, 22 years old.

“I'm going to have to deal with this for the rest of my life, I won't be able to see my daughter anymore. I won't be able to do her hair or dress her like her sister, I won't be able to do any of that anymore. You took that away from me,” Washington said.

Investigators say Casiano opened fire on a group of people outside the home. The shots did not hit anyone except A'Dourr, who was inside.

This April, Casiano pleaded guilty has charges He also pleaded not guilty to a gang membership charge.

“The defendant was in a street war with his opposing gang members, rival gang members, young people, young people like the defendant. And one of them shoots someone, someone gets shot and then he has to shoot back,” said Muskegon County Assistant District Attorney Kellee Koncki.

Before being sentenced, Casiano apologized to A'Dourr's family for his murder.

“I wish things were different. If I could go back in time and change the events that happened that day, I would,” Casiano said.

But a judge ultimately sentenced him to 28 to 80 years in prison.

“It's a horrible loss, a 6-month-old child because you're upset because somebody made fun of the fact that you were shot or somebody you know was shot,” Judge Matthew Kacel said.

Also Tuesday, Casiano's brother, Tollie Hatcher, 26, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for charges including assault resulting in serious bodily harm and gang membership.

Investigators say Hatcher shot at officers investigating A'Dourr's death.

Judge calls for end to violence in region

“I didn't think it could be worse than killing 14- or 13-year-olds, but 6-month-olds are being killed. This has to stop and someone has to start somewhere,” Kacel said.