Bruce Vielmetti

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A 22-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday to the torture and murder of a 15-year-old boy he suspected of knowing who stole an X-Box video game console.

Malik Terrell was charged in May in the death of Dennis King, who was the subject of a missing person report and a search until his burned body was discovered in an abandoned house in the 3300 block of North 11th Street.

Terrell faces mandatory life in prison at his sentencing Dec. 18.

His mother, Salena Terrell, 42, also was convicted Thursday after she pleaded guilty to harboring or aiding a felon. Her sentencing is set for Dec. 7.

Terrell's half-brother, Meakhi Autry-Terrell, 17, pleaded guilty last month to the same charge and will be sentenced the same day as his mother. The conviction carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and two years of extended supervision.

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According to the criminal complaints, Salena Terrell's 14-year-old son said he had been robbed of the X-Box on May 9. Two days later, Malik Terrell brought King to the family's house where he was beaten because Terrell and his brother thought King knew who had committed the robbery.

When their mother came home, she noticed the house was freshly cleaned. The 14-year-old said he had just felt like cleaning, but the next day told his mother that Malik Terrell had beaten King with a hammer before they took his body to an abandoned house down the alley, doused it in lighter fluid and set it aflame.

Salena Terrell did not call police, but arranged for Malik Terrell to take a bus to Chicago. When police came around investigating King's disappearance, she told them what she knew and suggested they check the abandoned house.