Gas Station Homicide Trial to Start on Shooting's 1-Year Anniversary

Exactly one year after authorities say 21-year-old Billy Ingram gunned down a gas station clerk during an armed robbery, Ingram will stand trial for a homicide charge.

Ingram, of Waukesha, is accused of shooting and killing 56-year-old Nayyer Rana, an immigrant from Pakistan working to give his children the American Dream. Ingram faces up to life in prison if convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of marijuana.

Ingram’s trial was set Thursday to begin on May 29.

Ingram, who was on probation for a burglary conviction in Milwaukee County, was living with his cousin on Jackson Court in Waukesha in May 2012. The criminal complaint alleges that Ingram used his cousin’s .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun to hold up the Petro Mart gas station May 29, 2012, where he shot and killed Rana while stealing $985, cigars, cigarettes and snacks.

Ingram’s attorney, Samuel Benedict, continues to fight evidence against Ingram. He filed a motion in court Thursday for a Miranda Goodchild hearing to determine what statements will be allowed during the trial. Ingram will be back in court March 7 for that hearing, which could last between 2 and 3-1/2 hours.

Benedict previously argued that Ingram was detained inappropriately by Brookfield police officers during a burglary investigation. Benedict claimed an illegal stop by the Brookfield Police Department should eliminate key evidence against Ingram. However, the judge found the stop was appropriate, legal and reasonable.

The Brookfield Police Department arrested Ingram on a warrant while investigating the burglary. Authorities also found bags abandoned at a nearby bus stop with items linking the bags to Ingram and to the gas station homicide, according to the criminal complaint.