WILMINGTON, DE — Two men were found guilty on Friday of all charges related to a violent crime spree that spanned eight days in January 2022. The convictions mark the final judgments in a massive four-defendant indictment, according to an announcement by the Delaware Department of Justice.
Walike Parham, 24, and Kyair Keys, 20, now face potential life sentences for their roles in the crime spree, which included four shootings — one of which shattered the windows of a daycare center while three infants were inside — multiple vehicle thefts, and high-speed pursuits.
Attorney General Jennings emphasized the serious threat the defendants posed to the community and commended the jury’s verdict. He said the defendants would collectively face more than a century in prison time for their crimes.
Chief Wilfredo Campos also praised the efforts of investigators and the collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office, which he said helped interrupt a crime spree that posed a significant danger to the community.
Parham faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 61 years, while Keys faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 49 years. These convictions contribute to a significant decline in gun violence in Wilmington, where murders have fallen by about 50% since 2020, and statewide shootings have declined by about 30% over the same period.
Parham was found guilty of a list of charges including three counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, among others.
Keys was convicted on multiple counts as well, including attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree assault, and five counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, among other charges.
Two other co-defendants were previously convicted. Markel Richards, 21, was sentenced to 21 years in prison, and Jahmir Morris-Whitt, 21, is expected to be sentenced to seven to twelve years in prison in 2024.
These convictions were secured by Deputy Attorneys General Jill Schroeder and Jenna Milecki, with support from DOJ Social Worker Lisa Rapko, Paralegal Cait Lynam, Administrative Assistant Jessica Quillen, and Trial Management Analyst Ted Griffin. Detective Brendan Wham of the Wilmington Police Department led the investigation.
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