Gunman who killed Ringgold senior pleads guilty to third-degree murder
The gunman who shot and killed a Ringgold High School senior and wounded her friend in South Franklin nearly two years ago pleaded guilty to third-degree murder Monday just before jury selection was set to begin for his trial at the Washington County Courthouse.
Windale Barfield Jr., 21, of Washington, pleaded guilty to felony charges of third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit homicide in the April 13, 2024, shooting that killed 18-year-old Annalaya Wilkerson of Monongahela, and he was immediately sentenced to serve 22 to 44 years in a state prison.
His 18-year-old brother, Anthony Barfield, also pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit homicide by planning with his brother and then setting up the meeting between the shooter and victims. He was sentenced by President Judge Valarie Costanzo to serve 15 to 30 years in prison as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
Wilkerson and her teenage friend, Chelsie Estock of Elizabeth, were riding with Windale Barfield and another man, Karon Whitlock, in the area when Barfield eventually drove the group to Jolly School Road. While there, Barfield fired multiple shots at the teenagers while they were standing outside the vehicle, killing Wilkerson and wounding Estock in the abdomen, leaving her with serious injuries that have required multiple surgeries.
Wearing a sweatshirt that read “Justice for Annalaya” on the back, Estock gave a victim impact statement at Monday’s sentencing hearing and talked about how painful her recovery has been, both physically and mentally.
“I feel like I’m in a nightmare I can’t get out of,” Estock said. “How do you live with what you did? That night you shot us and left us on the side of the road.”
She then recalled that Wilkerson’s last words were “Winnie, no!” as Windale Barfield fired the fatal shots.
“You took away such a beautiful, goofy, funny, loving soul,” Estock said. “You took her life like it was nothing.”
A third accomplice, 26-year-old Jeheili Yonshay Cochran of Pittsburgh, pleaded no contest Monday to evidence tampering after she disposed of the gun used in the shooting and helped Windale Barfield leave the state. She was sentenced to 12 months probation as part of her plea deal with prosecutors.
Wilkerson’s mother, Billie Jo Dawson, addressed all three defendants during her victim impact statement and demanded they listen to her speak as she recalled her daughter being “riddled with bullets” from the shooting.
“Look at me. All of you, look at me, cowards,” Dawson said. “I need you to know there will never be forgiveness. Never.”
Both Barfield brothers were wearing turtleneck sweaters as they were seated with their attorneys on either side of Cochran at the defense table. Both were being held without bond at the Washington County jail, but were wearing dress clothes as jury selection was expected to begin Monday morning for their trial. After their plea, however, the prospective jurors waiting in the courthouse basement’s jury lounge were dismissed.
“It’s a tragedy,” Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh said after the hearing. “It’s horrible. We can never give the family back what they lost, but we can give the victims some justice.”
Both Barfield brothers were handcuffed while they pleaded guilty and were led away by sheriff’s deputies. Neither gave a statement or apologized to Wilkerson’s friends and family during the proceeding. As Windale Barfield left the courtroom, he blew a kiss with his lips to his family seated in the gallery as someone from the victim’s side shouted, “I hope you rot!” as deputies walked him out of a side door in the courtroom.
Cochran left the courtroom on her own with her defense attorney and will serve her probation in Allegheny County.
Whitlock, 22, of Washington, cooperated with investigators and was prepared to testify against his co-defendants at trial. He is also facing homicide and other charges, although he is apparently negotiating a separate plea deal with prosecutors.
While the motive of the shooting has never been explicitly stated, Whitlock claimed while testifying at the preliminary hearing in June 2024 that Barfield killed Wilkerson over his belief she was plotting with rival gangs, although Walsh said investigators were never able to firmly establish a reason.