A Racine man is off to prison for a punch that felled a popular Kenosha special education teacher, causing his death. Twenty-year old Martin Walker has been sentenced to seven years behind bars, then five years of extended supervision. It stems from his actions outside a Kenosha nightspot in February 2009 .The victim, Colin Byars, fell backward from Walker’s punch, and struck his head, suffering what turned into a fatal brain injury.
Family, friends and supporters of the Byars family were not thrilled by Walker receiving significantly less than the maximum penalty allowed, but also called attention to the continuing void left behind. Walker could get even more prison time this summer, as he faces unrelated felonies, including armed robbery.
Contributed by Tom Karkow-WRJN