A Minnesota man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder of a co-worker who repeatedly refused his sexual advances.
Michael Jordan Carpenter received life without the possibility of parole last week after a jury found him guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder,
Carpenter, 38, was convicted in August for fatally shooting his co-worker, Nicole Hammond, following a text dispute over his persistent advances.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Carpenter shot Hammond on the right side of her neck. Officers who responded to the scene said they found Hammond lying in a pool of blood not far from her keys and phone.
Witnesses said they saw Carpenter near his vehicle, which had its front and rear driver-side doors open. He left his vehicle and then a gunshot rang out. He was then seen running back to his car and driving off.
Police said that the night before the shooting, Hammond messaged Carpenter about not wanting to be touched or manipulated by him and how she did not want things awkward at work. At some point, Hammond also text messaged someone about Carpenter being “mad at her,” according to Bring Me the News.
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Co-workers told authorities that Carpenter had a bad temper. After the shooting, an employee on the phone with Carpenter told him about Hammond being shot — to which Carpenter responded that he knew, and he would be at his sister’s house in case cops wanted to find him.
Police arrested at an apartment in Saul Rapids hours after the shooting. A 9mm pistol and a loaded magazine were reportedly located on the rear seat of his car. The style and brand of bullets were the same as the shell casing located at the crime scene, the Star-Tribune reported.
Carpenter allegedly told police that he walked to Hammond’s car but he left after hearing a gunshot. He reportedly claimed he left the scene because he was traumatized by what he witnessed.
“My thoughts are with Nicole Hammond’s friends, family, and community today. Nicole was a talented, kind, and caring soul who loved art and nature. She will be missed by many,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement.
“I am pleased that today, the Court held Michael Carpenter fully accountable for the crime he committed. I hope this accountability is eventually able to bring some measure of peace to Nicole’s loved ones.”
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[Featured image:Michael Carpenter/Benton County Jail; Nicole Hammond/Facebook]
Additional reporting by Jacquelyn Gray
