MILWAUKEE, March 4 (UPI) -- Two Milwaukee men were charged Thursday with killing and robbing a woman and her two young sons and then killing an accomplice to keep her quiet, police said.
A criminal complaint charged Desmond D. Laster, 21, and Anthony E. Barnes, 23, with four counts each of intentional murder, as well as arson and weapons charges, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The bodies of Rachel Thompson, 23, and her sons, Torian Thompson-Carter, 4, and Jaden Thompson-Carter, 3, were found in her burning duplex early Friday. The body of Brittney Robertson, 19, who had been living with Thompson, was discovered late that day, while Thompson's infant son, Maurice Visor, was found unharmed outside a church in the afternoon.
Investigators said they believe Laster, Barnes and Robertson intended to rob Thompson, believing, mistakenly, she had a large amount of cash. Instead, they killed her and the boys and left with the baby.
Police, believing Robertson and the baby had been abducted, released photos of the young woman to broadcasters. Barnes allegedly shot Robertson in the head because he and Laster were nervous about the publicity.
Robertson's mother said she got two phone calls from her daughter during the day, saying she probably would not see her again. A friend said Robertson called him and asked him to pray for her.
