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07-12-2026, 01:30 PM
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Glendale Landlord Convicted in Fatal Shooting
John Sweeney was sentenced to 17 years of initial confinement in prison and eight years of extended supervision after a Milwaukee County Circuit Court jury convicted him of second-degree reckless homicide in the shooting death of Andrew Martin at Sweeney's Glendale, Wisconsin, home. The jury rejected Sweeney's self-defense claim. Sweeney was initially charged with first-degree reckless homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, a Class B felony. His trial began about Oct. 13, 2025, and the jury returned its verdict on the fourth day, Oct. 16, finding him guilty of second-degree reckless homicide, also a Class B felony. Judge David Borowski imposed the sentence Dec. 12, 2025, with credit for 209 days already served. Borowski called Sweeney a danger to the community and said the killing was unnecessary. Sweeney said the act stemmed from fear and desperation, but he did not plead guilty or fully accept responsibility at trial. A restitution hearing was set for February 2026. There were no co-defendants. Sweeney, about 32 to 34 at the time, owned the single-family home in the 5500 block of North Iroquois Avenue, near Bayshore Mall. A woman had rented the basement since about February 2025 and shared the home with him. Martin, 31, was a medical student more than halfway through his M.D. program and had been the tenant's boyfriend since late February 2025. He visited frequently. Sweeney viewed Martin as a "rando" or stranger and had warned the tenant against such guests, particularly when children or family were present. Martin stayed at the home after drinking the night before May 18, 2025, to avoid driving. A morning dispute began after Martin blocked Sweeney's car and expanded to house rules, overnight guests and parking. Sweeney displayed a gun on his hip and fired a warning shot into the ground as Martin left. Later, the tenant texted that she was moving out and returned to collect her belongings. Martin arrived wanting to talk and "squash" the issue. The argument escalated in the garage and driveway between about 7:45 and 7:51 p.m. Sweeney shot Martin seven times with a 9mm handgun. Martin was found face-down in a pool of blood near the open garage door and was pronounced dead at the scene. No evidence of long-term calculated planning was reported, but the tenant said it was unusual for Sweeney to wear a holstered gun at home. A friend on FaceTime with Sweeney heard arguing, tussling and gunshots, and later heard Sweeney say Martin was "bleeding out." There were no reports of scene tampering. When police arrived, Sweeney left the house with his hands raised, immediately admitted he was the shooter and directed officers to the gun inside. He said Martin entered the garage and punched him, leaving him with "no choice," though he reported no severe injury. In a later interview, Sweeney said Martin punched him in the head, that he reached for his gun, and that he kept firing when Martin allegedly tried to take it. He initially omitted the morning warning shot until investigators asked about it. Investigators recovered seven 9mm Luger shell casings from the driveway and garage and found the 9mm handgun inside the home. Martin's pocket held his keys and wallet, along with a holstered knife, but Sweeney never claimed he believed Martin had a weapon or threatened him with one. The tenant heard raised voices, three shots and then more while calling 911, and saw blood and Sweeney holding the gun. Text messages concerned her move and the earlier gun incident. The autopsy found seven gunshot wounds. The video runs about 67 minutes and consists of a police interview-room recording. It shows the interview itself without narration or a presenter.
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