Dylan Jackson, 22

What happened

Four days after Judge Fehrenbach stayed his jail sentence for an in-custody felony battery, Harmon allegedly opened fire on Milwaukee's Water Street, killing 22-year-old Dylan Jackson and wounding two others. He was charged with first-degree reckless homicide, two counts of first-degree reckless injury, and felon in possession of a firearm. The case has drawn national attention to Fehrenbach's reform-minded sentencing record.

The release decision

On March 18, 2025, Deonta Rashad Harmon was charged with felony battery (committed while incarcerated). Circuit Court Judge Jessica Fehrenbach ordered the release on March 18, 2025. Terms: stayed 60-day sentence, 24 months self-imposed probation. Prosecutors had asked for active jail time. The defendant had 3 prior arrests at the time.

The defendant's record

18 years old. Felony record prior to the March 2025 hearing. Admitted to felony battery committed while incarcerated, which led to the stayed sentence.

Sources

• Meet Jessica Fehrenbach: The Judge Who Released Water Street Murderer Four Days Before Triple Shooting, Heartland Post
• Judge Jessica Fehrenbach Under Fire After Releasing Teen Days Before Milwaukee Triple Shooting, Kind Joe