MJP –
A life sentence was handed down to a Minnesota man for the murder of a coworker who declined his advances.
Michael J. Carpenter, 38, was accused by prosecutors of fatally shooting 28-year-old Nicole Hammond in the neck in October 2022 in the parking lot of their textile mill workplace. He was found guilty of two counts of intentional murder and first-degree premeditated murder in August by a jury.
As he made his way into the courthouse for his sentencing hearing, Carpenter grinned and smirked, according to local Fox affiliate KMSP. Terri Anderson, the mother of Hammond, expressed her desire to confine her son after seeing his excessive smirking. “All I want is for him to give an account for what he did to her.”
Carpenter made bogus threats against Hammond after the victim impact statements. “I agree that she was a really amazing person,” he commented. “She was really nice, and very caring.”
A search of Hammond’s smartphone revealed many texts between her and Carpenter in which she expressed her want to avoid being touched or influenced by him, leading to the 38-year-old’s arrest for the 2022 killing, according to the affidavit.
Court documents show that “She also informed him to not make things uncomfortable at work,” according to police. According to the police, “the defendant was furious at her” (Hammond) texted another individual. According to conversations with other coworkers, the defendant had made multiple moves toward (Hammond) during the prior month, but each time, he had been rejected. The defendant’s violent temper was likewise characterized by his coworkers.
According to Law & Crime, once police arrested Carpenter, they searched his vehicle and found a 9 mm handgun and magazines that were identical to the ones recovered beside Hammond’s body, as well as matching the brand and design of the round casings.
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As far as the authorities were concerned, Carpenter maintained that he did not shoot Hammond. According to him, he was on his way to her car when he “heard a rifle shot” and “saw a person with a hat ministering to Hammond. Leaving the site without aiding the injured or contacting emergency services, he claims to have been “traumatized” by the sight of so much blood.
It is with great satisfaction that I inform you that Michael Carpenter was today found guilty of the crime he committed. Following the sentencing, Keith Ellison, the attorney general of Minnesota, made a statement expressing his hope that Nicole’s loved ones will find some peace through this accountability.
Parole is not an option for Carpenter.
