‘I wish this guy would die and burn’: Dad forced to stand behind glass to address his 5-year-old son’s killer who brutally beat boy to death with birdbath
A Wisconsin courtroom became the scene of raw grief and anger when the father of 5-year-old Prince McCree confronted the teenager responsible for his son’s horrific death. Forced to address the killer from behind a protective glass barrier because of previous emotional outbursts, the grieving father delivered a statement that underscored the devastating impact of the crime.
The case, which shocked Milwaukee and drew national attention, ended with a life sentence for the teenage killer whose actions prosecutors described as among the most egregious crimes imaginable.
Teen Killer Receives Life Sentence
Erik Mendoza, now 18, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 5-year-old Prince McCree. Mendoza was only 15 years old when the killing occurred in October 2023.
The sentence came after Mendoza pleaded guilty in February to first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, and three counts of reckless endangerment. Although sentenced to life behind bars, he will become eligible for parole after serving 50 years.
The case also involved a second defendant, David Pietura Jr., who pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime in June 2024. Pietura received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Father Forced to Speak Behind Glass
One of the most emotional moments during sentencing came when Prince’s father, Darron McCree, addressed Mendoza.
Due to previous courtroom outbursts and concerns about security, McCree was required to deliver his victim impact statement from behind a glass barrier in the gallery. Despite the separation, his grief and rage were unmistakable.
“He Killed Me”
Speaking directly about his son’s killer, McCree expressed the profound devastation he has experienced since Prince’s death.
“What I wanna say is, I wish this guy would die and burn, no mercy. I wish I could do it with my hands. When he killed my baby, he killed me,” McCree said in court.
The grieving father continued by stating that if the opportunity ever arose, he would strangle the man responsible for his son’s death. His remarks reflected the immense emotional toll the murder has taken on Prince’s family.
Mother Says Justice Was Served
Following the sentencing hearing, Prince’s mother, Jordan Barger, spoke publicly about the outcome.
She expressed relief that justice had finally been achieved for her son.
Family Still Struggling With Loss
Barger stated that she was glad the court had held Mendoza accountable and hoped he would receive the punishment he deserved while incarcerated.
She emphasized that her young son never deserved the suffering inflicted upon him and that the sentence provided some measure of closure for the family.
The Day Prince Disappeared
The events leading to Prince’s death began on October 25, 2023.
According to investigators, Prince stayed home from school that day because he woke up with a sore throat. He lived in a residence shared by his mother, Mendoza, and Pietura.
Late in the morning, Prince went downstairs to the basement to play video games. His mother returned to sleep, believing Pietura, who lived in the basement, was supervising the child.
A Disturbing Discovery
After returning from grocery shopping, Prince’s mother searched for her son and went downstairs.
She found the basement dark and empty.
When she asked Pietura where Prince was, he claimed he had not seen the boy. Concerned, she contacted police to report him missing.
Investigators Uncover Blood Throughout the Home
When officers arrived at the property, they immediately noticed suspicious evidence.
Detectives discovered blood on the basement floor and questioned Pietura about it.
He claimed that he and Mendoza had merely been roughhousing and that Mendoza had suffered a bloody nose. Investigators quickly became suspicious as additional blood evidence was found throughout the property.
Pietura’s Story Begins to Fall Apart
As detectives continued their search, Pietura provided a version of events that was contradicted by cellphone data.
Investigators also noticed a significant amount of blood on Pietura’s leg.
He was eventually arrested on obstruction-related allegations while authorities continued searching for Prince.
K-9 Search Leads Detectives Closer to the Truth
The following day, October 26, 2023, investigators intensified their efforts.
A K-9 unit detected signs of human decomposition on the property. Detectives also used Bluestar, a forensic chemical capable of revealing cleaned or hidden blood stains, uncovering additional evidence throughout the basement.
Pietura Implicates Mendoza
During renewed questioning, Pietura told investigators that Mendoza had attacked Prince with a golf club.
He directed police to a furnace area where the golf club was later recovered.
Pietura further claimed he witnessed Mendoza choking and beating the child.
Prince’s Body Found Bound, Gagged and Wrapped in Garbage Bags
Later that same morning, authorities made a horrifying discovery.
Prince’s body was found wrapped in duct tape and multiple white garbage bags. Investigators described the child as blood-soaked, bound, and gagged.
Police noted it was immediately apparent that the boy had been dead for some time.
Surveillance Footage Captures Disposal of Body
Investigators recovered neighborhood surveillance video showing Mendoza and Pietura disposing of Prince’s body in a dumpster during the afternoon of October 25.
The footage became a critical piece of evidence linking both men to the crime and the concealment of the child’s remains.
Mendoza’s Chilling Confession
After Prince’s body was recovered, police arrested Mendoza.
When confronted with evidence including surveillance footage and the condition of the body, Mendoza eventually admitted his role in the killing.
According to investigators, Mendoza confessed by saying, “I strangled him.”
Beating Continued Even After Severe Injuries
Mendoza admitted striking Prince with a golf club while the child was still alive.
He reportedly told detectives he knew Prince remained alive because the boy was crying and foaming at the mouth.
The violence then escalated dramatically.
Mendoza said he stomped on Prince’s head approximately ten times outside the residence. He also punched and kicked the child repeatedly until he appeared lifeless.
The Final Brutal Assault
Investigators learned that the abuse continued even after Prince was bound and placed inside garbage bags.
According to statements made during the investigation, Pietura admitted participating in the beating because he wanted the child to stop making noise. At one point, he dropped a 30-pound barbell onto Prince’s head.
Birdbath Pedestal Used in Fatal Attack
Even after those injuries, Prince reportedly continued whimpering.
Authorities said Mendoza and Pietura then took turns striking the child with a golf club while he remained bound and gagged inside the garbage bags.
Pietura later located a concrete pedestal from a birdbath and dropped it on Prince’s head twice.
After that final assault, the child made no further sounds.
Prosecutors Describe Crime as Exceptionally Horrific
During sentencing, prosecutors argued that crimes do not become more serious or more shocking than what happened to Prince McCree.
The state emphasized the prolonged violence, the attempts to conceal the crime, and the victim’s extreme vulnerability as a 5-year-old child.
Defense Focused on Mental Health
Mendoza’s attorney acknowledged that his client bore legal responsibility for the killing but argued that he suffered from severe mental illness and was deeply troubled.
Despite those arguments, the court ultimately imposed a life sentence, ensuring Mendoza will spend decades in prison before any possibility of parole.
Additional Violent Crimes Revealed During Investigation
Investigators uncovered other disturbing information while questioning Mendoza.
According to police, he admitted responsibility for three separate nonfatal stabbing attacks in the neighborhood.
The attacks were reportedly random. Mendoza allegedly told investigators he was bored and wanted to stab someone. One victim was simply sitting and using a phone when attacked.
Attempts to Avoid Adult Prosecution Failed
Because Mendoza was only 15 at the time of the murder, his defense team spent years trying to prevent him from being prosecuted as an adult.
Attorneys sought to have the case transferred to juvenile court and later attempted to pursue an insanity defense.
Court Finds Mendoza Competent
Those efforts ultimately failed.
Mental health evaluations concluded that Mendoza was competent to stand trial, allowing the case to proceed in adult court and paving the way for the life sentence ultimately imposed.
A Family Forever Changed
For Prince McCree’s family, the sentencing marked the end of a lengthy legal process but not the end of their pain.
The heartbreaking words spoken by Prince’s father in court reflected a family still struggling to comprehend the loss of a child whose life ended in one of Wisconsin’s most disturbing homicide cases.
While the court’s decision ensures that those responsible face severe punishment, the grief expressed by Prince’s parents serves as a reminder of the lasting human cost of the crime.
