BY JESSICA STEPHEN
jstephen@kenoshanews.com

Witnesses offered differing accounts about how a verbal exchange between a Racine man and a Kenosha teacher escalated to violence, according to a criminal complaint.

But all agreed the two squared off, apparently ready to fight, before Martin L. Walker, 20, allegedly killed Colin Byars, 24, with a single punch.

Walker was charged Friday with felony murder while committing a battery, as a repeat offender. If convicted, he could spend an estimated 22 years in prison.

A $500,000 cash bond was ordered. However, even if Walker posted that money, it would not guarantee his release. Walker was on probation when Byars died, and likely will stay in custody while state officials decide whether to ask that his probation be revoked.

A criminal complaint filed Friday outlined accounts from one of Walker’s friends, one of Byars’ friends and an apparently neutral bystander who called 911 after the brief fight early Feb. 21 outside a Kenosha tavern.