Detroit man gets life terms in White Castle triple slaying

James David Dickson
The Detroit News
The White Castle on West Warren Avenue.

Detroit — A 30-year-old Detroit man was sentenced Monday to "natural life" for his part in an early-September triple-slaying at a White Castle on the city's west side, while a second man has been charged in the case.

William Wilbourn-Little was given three life sentences for the homicides, along with 33 months to five years for one count of felon-in-possession, and another five years for four counts of felony firearm. Judge Prentis Edwards Jr. of Wayne County Circuit Court said the sentences will be served consecutively.

A jury convicted Wilbourn-Little of all eight counts against him May 2. 

The second defendant in the triple homicide, Timothy Pitts, 26, faces an eight-count slate of charges identical to Wilbourn-Little's. He was arraigned Friday in Detroit's 36th District Court and denied bond, meaning he will remain in the Wayne County Jail.

Timothy Pitts

Just before 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 9, three men in their early 20s were fatally shot at a White Castle on the 6300 block of West Warren. 

Police arrived to find the three victims, identified as DeShawn Gadson, 20; Trevaughn Anthony, 24; and Rashawn Harrington, 25, in the lobby.

The restaurant, which opened in 1969, was closed for a week after the slayings.

Pitts is due for a probable cause conference on May 31 and a preliminary examination on June 7, both before Judge Michael Wagner.