A Milwaukee teenager charged in the death last year of 5-year-old Prince McCree will be tried as an adult.

An attorney for Erik Mendoza, 16, on Friday withdrew his May 10 request to have the case against his client waived into juvenile court.

“I don’t have the horses to proceed” with the waiver process, Milwaukee lawyer Scott Anderson said during a hearing Friday.

Mendoza’s case will be transferred from Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Laura Gramling Perez, who typically handles matters in Children’s Court, to Judge Michelle A. Havas.

Here’s what happened to Prince McCree

Prince was reported missing from his home in the 2400 block of North 54th Street in Milwaukee on Oct. 25. His body was found the next morning about a mile south, on the 5500 block of West Vliet Street.

Police and prosecutors say in court documents Mendoza played an active role in beating Prince to death with a barbell, a 70-pound concrete birdfeeder and a golf club.

Mendoza is charged with two first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime, as well as other felonies, including physical abuse of a child, abusing a corpse and recklessly endangering safety.

Another man was charged in Prince McCree’s death

David Pietura, 27, pleaded guilty in June to first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime. He was given a life sentence.

Prosecutors say Pietura and Mendoza were living with Prince and his family at the time of the attack.

What is Wisconsin’s law about juvenile defendants?

State law allows for children as young as 10 to be charged as adults for certain serious crimes, at least to start the case. Those crimes include first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

Lesser charges, such as attempted first-degree reckless homicide or attempted second-degree intentional homicide, start in juvenile court.

Wisconsin is one of only three states that require all 17-year-old criminal defendants to be charged as adults.

What’s next for Erik Mendoza?

Perez ordered Mendoza to undergo a psychological evaluation after Anderson indicated he thought his client may lack the mental capacity to aid in his defense.

He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 3 after a report on the doctor’s findings has been completed.

How many children have been homicide victims in Milwaukee?

There were 172 homicides reported in the city of Milwaukee in 2023. Of them, 16 involved victims under 17 – three of whom were younger than 10, Milwaukee police records show.

So far in 2024, the city has seen 77 homicides through Thursday, 12 of which involved victims under 17. Of them, two were 9 years old or younger.

In 2022, a year that Milwaukee saw 215 total homicides, 23 children under 17 were victims, Milwaukee police data shows.

Craig Yoho wasn’t on the radars of many coming into the year, but he sure is now.

The Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect has had a whale of a 2024 season, working his way through three levels of the minor leagues and now is in the discussion for a late-season call-up to the majors.

Yoho began his first year of pro ball this season with Class A Wisconsin, where he gave up one earned run and struck out 37 in 20⅓ innings, and has continued that dominance all the way through Class AAA Nashville, where he is currently pitching.

Here’s what to know about the fast-rising prospect.

When did the Brewers draft Craig Yoho?

The Brewers selected Yoho in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB draft out of Indiana University. He signed for $10,000, the fourth-lowest signing bonus of any player taken in the 20-round draft.

Where is Yoho from?

Yoho is from Fishers, Indiana, and attended Fishers High School. He also attended the University of Houston before transferring to Indiana.

How old is Yoho?

Yoho is 24 years old.

How tall is Yoho?

Yoho is 6 foot 3.

Where is Yoho ranked as a prospect?

The Journal Sentinel ranked Yoho as the No. 12 prospect in the system earlier this season, though he has certainly made a case to move higher in the rankings since that update. MLB.com ranks him as the organization’s 20th-best prospect, as does Baseball America.

What is Yoho’s best pitch?

Yoho’s best pitch is his changeup, which has drawn plenty of attention in the minors for its heavy movement, both horizontally and vertically. He also throws a 92-93 mph four-seam fastball, a mid-70s slider/curveball and a cutter in the upper-80s.

What is Yoho’s injury history?

Yoho has had two Tommy John surgeries, one in 2019 and the other in 2021, both performed when he was in college. He also dislocated a kneecap in 2022 and had to undergo surgery to repair it. 

How has he performed in the minor leagues?

Yoho has taken the minors by storm in his first year of pro ball. In 39 games and 48⅔ innings out of the bullpen, he has a 0.74 ERA and 0.822 WHIP. He has struck out 92 batters while allowing only 15 walks.

When will Yoho make his MLB debut?

It’s possible that the Brewers give Yoho a look down the stretch in the 2024 season, though based upon the crowded bullpen mix they have it’s just as likely he’ll have to wait until early 2025 to make his debut.

What is Yoho’s long-term outlook?

Yoho is viewed as a relief-only prospect, in part because of his injury history. He does feature a true four-pitch mix but projects to be an important piece of the Brewers bullpen for years to come.

The Brewers and Giants finish their three-game series this afternoon in Milwaukee, as well as the short three-game series at home. Aaron Civale faces Hayden Birdsong in the final game of the series. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. and will be on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.