TheTrenchcoat Chronicles

Tag: Michael-John-Anderson

  • Attorneys to use mental defect defense in Katherine Ann Olson’s murder

    Craigslist murder suspect’s attorneys raise possibility of mental illness defense:

    I should have seen this coming yet I was still surprised.

    The attorneys for Michael John Anderson will be filing a motion stating that they might be using a mental illness defense for the murder of Katherine Ann Olson. They’re claiming that Anderson has Asperger’s syndrome. They’re basically claiming that he didn’t know the difference between right or wrong because of his Asperger’s. Last time I checked that’s not one of the effects of Asperger’s and is an insult to people who legitimately have it.

    Asperger’s patients have a hard time interacting socially because they are unable to detect things like sarcasm and some forms of humor. They also can be obsessed over a singular subject. It DOES NOT make you take an ad for a nanny job on craigslist for the sole purpose of shooting someone in the head.

    This is not the first time I’ve read about a lawyer using this defense. For the most part, this defense has been unsuccessful. If lawyers keep using this defense than people will begin to think that Asperger’s does make you criminally violent.

  • New evidence in Katherine Ann Olson murder

    New evidence in Craigslist murder case:

    Michael John Anderson may just be the dumbest criminal ever. The suspect in the murder of Katherine Ann Olson actually sent a letter to his parents from jail asking them to pay someone to take the rap for him.

    Anderson lured Olson to his home with a phony craigslist employment ad and then shot and killed her once she was there.

  • Child porn found on craigslist killer’s computer

    Cops: Child pornography found on accused Craigslist killer’s computer:

    While investigating the murder of Katherine Ann Olson police found child porn on the computer of her accused killer, Michael John Anderson.

    In the affidavit for the search warrant, a BCA agent described it as “a photograph of two pre-teen boys, clearly under the age of 18, in the nude.” It describes the boys engaged in a sex act.

    Anderson is accused of placing a phony ad for a nanny job on craigslist. When Olson responded to the ad at Anderson’s house he allegedly killed her.

  • craigslist killer case continued

    Craigslist case continued until May 7:

    Today Michael John Anderson was supposed to have entered his plea in the murder of Katherine Ann Olson. He’s accused of killing her and hiding her body after she responded to a phony employment ad on craigslist placed by Anderson. However, the case has been continued until May 7th.

    According to this article, the case was continued because prosecutors have requested more time to complete forensic testing.

  • craigslist killer due in court

    Murder suspect in court Tuesday:

    Michael John Anderson of Savage, Minnesota is scheduled to appear in court this Tuesday to enter his plea. Anderson is accused in the murder of Katherine Ann Olson. Ms. Olson answered a fake ad on craigslist placed by Anderson advertising a nannying job. When Olson arrived for the ‘interview’ Anderson allegedly killed her by shooting her in the back and then disposed of her body.

    If Anderson pleads not guilty then a trial date will be set.

  • Indictment handed down in Olson murder

    Indictment handed down in Olson murder

    Grand jury hands up first-degree murder charges in Olson case:

    A Minnesota grand jury handed down an indictment today of first-degree murder for 19-year-old Michael John Anderson. Anderson is accused of killing 24-year-old Katherine Ann Olson after Olson answered a phony employment ad placed by Anderson.

    When Savage police interviewed Anderson, he initially denied having contact with Olson.

    Anderson then admitted to being present when Olson died. He said a friend killed the woman because he “thought it would be funny.”

    However, the evidence that’s been released mostly points to Anderson acting alone.

    After a bloodied towel – with Anderson’s name inked on it and Olson’s smashed cell phone wrapped inside – was found in a nearby Savage park, authorities picked up Anderson from his job fueling airplanes at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. His phone number was the last one called on Olson’s phone.

    Minnesota does not have the death penalty as much as this scumbag deserves it.

  • Trial date set for Anderson

    Trial date set for Anderson

    Trial Date Set in Minnesota Craigslist Murder:

    A trial date of November 27th has been set for Michael John Anderson. 19-year-old Anderson is accused of luring Katherine Ann Olson to her death by posting a phony nannying job ad on craigslist then shooting her when she responded to the ad.

  • Suspect held on $1M bail in the death of Katherine Ann Olson

    Suspect held on $1M bail in the death of Katherine Ann Olson

    Bail set at $1 million for suspect in craigslist killing:

    Bail was set at $1M for suspected craigslist killer Michael John Anderson. He’s the suspected killer of Katherine Ann Olson, whose body was found a day after she responded to a phony employment ad on craigslist. It’s alleged that Anderson was the one who took out the ad.

    An additional detail mentioned in the article is that they believe that Anderson shot her in the back of the head with a .357 Magnum.

    Police believe Olson was killed in Anderson’s house sometime after she arrived Thursday morning. Investigators found blood splatters in the man’s bedroom and on his mattress, as well as bloody drag marks down the stairs of the home.

    They also discovered a .357 Magnum and a shell casing from the gun in his room.

    During Olson’s autopsy, a bullet was found in her stomach.

    Authorities said there is no initial evidence of a sexual assault, but final results are not in, police said.

    The man initially denied having contact with the woman, but eventually admitted to being present when she was killed. He said a friend killed Olson because he “thought it would be funny.”

    At a press conference after the bail hearing, police claimed that only Anderson was involved in the killing.

    More details as they become available.

  • Craig himself on the murder of Katherine Ann Olson

    Craig himself on the murder of Katherine Ann Olson

    Charges expected Tuesday in Craigslist killing:

    Craig Newmark, the founder of craigslist, had the following to say about the murder of Katherine Ann Olson.

    The founder of Craigslist.org believes that Olson’s death is the first killing ever linked to the website.

    “I can’t recall a single case like it,” Craig Newmark told KARE 11 News. “This is the worst that I can recall.”

    “I’d just like to express my condolences,” Newmark said by phone from California Sunday. “This is a real tragedy and we’re more eager than ever to help deal with the bad guy.”

    Newmark says Craigslist works closely with authorities to investigate crimes tied to the website. Those crimes include identity theft cases, scams, robberies and sex crimes.

    Does he not see anything wrong with the fact that these crimes are happening on his website?

  • Katherine Ann Olson and Donna Jou

    Katherine Ann Olson and Donna Jou

    Craigslist users wary after killing of baby-sitter:

    Susan MacTavish Best of craigslist had the following to say about the murder of Katherine Ann Olson…

    “We were shocked and saddened to hear of this terrible tragedy, and our deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and friends,” said Susan MacTavish Best, a spokeswoman for craigslist, an international network of online communities that features free classified advertising.

    Best said there’s never been a homicide linked to craigslist since it was founded 12 years ago.

    “Assuming the craigslist link is confirmed, this would be the first time,” Best said, referring to Olson’s death.

    Best said craigslist officials work with law enforcement whenever they receive a request, but she wouldn’t comment specifically about their involvement in the Olson investigation.

    I bet you think I’m going to rip her again, but I’m not. Unlike when defending the erotic services section, Ms. MacTavish-Best did not use this as an opportunity to tout how great craigslist is.

    However, this may not be the first craigslist murder. In a sort of twisted backward way, but with no disrespect meant towards anyone involved, there is still the matter of Donna Jou.

    Donna Jou went missing in July and was last seen leaving on a date with a guy by the name of John Burgess that she met on craigslist. Unfortunately, as of yet, she has not been found and even less, unfortunately, police are unable to charge Burgess with anything due to lack of evidence. However, it’s entirely possible that Donna Jou may be the first craigslist murder.

    Now, you may think that there’s a difference between answering a personal ad and a job ad on craigslist. There is, but only slightly. Predators don’t usually use job ads to attract victims, but it’s not unheard of.

    This past July, I posted a story about a woman who was approached sexually by a man she thought was a prospective employer.

    I guess what I’m saying is that since criminal elements lurk in the rest of craigslist it was only a matter of time before they seeped into the employment ads as well. So no matter what kind of ad you’re placing or responding to on craigslist it doesn’t hurt to be overly cautious. The old saying holds true here, just because you’re not paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.

    Be careful out there.