Three people who were charged in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old girl are heading to jail.
Annalaya Wilkerson’s mom says her daughter thought she was going to a party the night she was murdered. Monday, 3 of the 4 charged in the 18-year-old’s death took a plea deal, but Annalaya’s mother says she still doesn’t know why it happened.
“It’s not enough time, I feel like they should’ve got a lot more time; life. I mean, they took her life, it’s not fair,” said Billie Jo Dawson.
Billie Jo Dawson is talking about a plea deal for three of the four people charged in connection with her daughter’s murder.
She said, “I just feel hate. That’s it. I just hate them I’ll never forgive them, never.”
State Police say Wilkerson and a 17-year-old girl were shot along Jolly School Road in South Franklin Township on April 13th, 2024. Police say the girls were both shot when they got out of the car. The 17-year-old was shot in the chest and survived. Wilkerson was found dead in the middle of the road.
“Those were her last words, ‘Winnie, no!’ Literally begging for her life, you know. Knowing you’re about to die, could you imagine?” Dawson said.
Windale “Winnie” Barfield Junior will serve 22-24 years and his brother Anthony Barfield will serve 15-30 years in a state prison as part of the plea deal. Jeheili Cochran, who is a relative of the Barfield’s also took a plea deal for tampering with evidence after reportedly getting rid of the murder weapon.
“They’re still not taking accountability. I still don’t know why. I still don’t know what really happened. I’ll never know because they got to take a plea deal,” Dawson said.
Dawson and other family members made sweatshirts with the pictures of the four charged in her daughter’s death, with the words “murderers” and “cowards.”
“That’s how I feel - that’s all they’ll ever be. This is all they’ll ever be, even when they’re released, this is all they’ll ever be,” Dawson said.
Another man, Karon Whitlock, was also charged, but the DA says his case will be dealt with separately because he’s been cooperating.
Wilkerson’s mom says now, all she and others can do is remember Annalaya for the amazing person she was.
“Her smile. Her vibe. The way she lit up a room. This is the most justice I guess we can get for her, but she deserves a lot more,” she said.
Dawson says even though she spoke directly to the three in the courtroom, none of them made any statements or offered an apology.
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