Life Sentence for Wisconsin Man in Child’s Murder
A Wisconsin man, aged 18, received a life sentence on Friday for his involvement in the horrific death of a 5-year-old boy from Milwaukee, a case that later influenced changes to state legislation.
Eric Mendoza, who was just 15 at the time of the crime, will be ineligible for parole for 50 years. He pleaded guilty in February to charges that included first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety in the death of Prince McCree, as reported by local media.
Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Matthew Torbenson characterized Mendoza’s actions as egregious, emphasizing the severity of the crime during the sentencing hearing.
Prince McCree was reported missing on October 25, 2023, after his mother allowed him to play video games in their basement. David Pietula, who also lived at the home, received a life sentence for his role in the case as well. When McCree was still missing later that day, his mother contacted the authorities.
The following morning, police discovered the child’s body in a dumpster located about a mile from the home. Investigators revealed that Mendoza confessed to strangling McCree and striking him multiple times with a golf club.
Mendoza and Pietula allegedly disposed of the boy’s body together. Surveillance footage presented in court reportedly shows them carrying white trash bags in an alley on the same day McCree disappeared.
Initially, Pietula claimed he had just taken a walk with Mendoza, but this was contradicted by cell phone GPS data. Eventually, he guided the police to where McCree’s body was found.
Pietula also pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide and was sentenced to life in prison in 2024. The tragedy led to the establishment of Prince’s Law, which broadens Wisconsin’s missing child alert system to include cases not meeting Amber Alert criteria.
During the emotional sentencing hearing, McCree’s parents delivered heart-wrenching statements. Darron McCree, the boy’s father, expressed deep anger, saying, “I wish this man would die and burn. There’s no mercy.” His mother, Jordan Berger, added, “The baby was worth nothing.”
She noted the immense gap in age between Mendoza and her son, underlining the difference in their circumstances. Mendoza chose not to speak in court during his sentencing.
The Milwaukee Police Department has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the case.
