Indictments made in Craigslist killing

A man accused of killing a woman who responded to his online ad for a baby sitter was indicted on a first-degree murder charge Friday.

Michael J. Anderson, 19, made his first appearance on the upgraded charge of first-degree premeditated murder Friday afternoon in Scott County District Court. He had been previously charged with second-degree murder.

His bail remains at $1 million. He's due back in court Feb. 5.

The charges allege that Anderson posted an ad on the Internet bulletin board Craigslist to lure Katherine Olson, 24, to the home where he lived with his parents in Savage. He allegedly shot her once in the back in his bedroom, then dragged her down bloodstained stairs and left her in the trunk of her car in a nearby park.

Friday's indictment said Anderson used his father's gun, a .357-caliber Magnum revolver, that his father told police he kept in his bedroom, and that tests showed that the bullet that killed Olson came from that gun. The shell casing for that bullet was found under a pillow on Anderson's computer desk, it said.

Anderson's parents sat behind him in court but declined to comment afterward.

The victim's parents, Rolf and Nancy Olson, issued a statement saying they are still grieving their daughter's "senseless murder" and thanking the many people who have expressed their sympathy.

"The support we have received through the thousands of cards and e-mails has touched us and helped to soften the pain of our grief," they said. "The substantial contributions to the memorials that have been set up in Katherine's name will be used to carry on the causes for which Katherine was so passionate."

Rolf Olson said they had no comment on the new charge except that they will let the legal process take its normal course.

--- Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com

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