December 30, 2021 at 11:18 a.m.
Anderson set to stand trial in Miller slaying
Motion to admit 'other acts' evidence expected
Anderson set to stand trial in Miller slaying
By Jamie Taylor & Heather Schaefer-
Anderson was arraigned Monday on one count of first-degree intentional homicide and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. After the plea was entered, circuit judge Mike Bloom asked defense attorney Scott F. Anderson if he wished to schedule the matter for a pretrial conference or some other matter up to and including setting a trial date.
"We should probably start with the trial date," attorney Anderson replied.
Bloom then asked district attorney Mike Schiek how much time he believes will be needed to try the case.
"I think five days for testimony and evidence. I don't know if the court wants to schedule additional time for picking a jury," Schiek answered.
Bloom asked the two attorneys if they thought a trial starting the week of Aug. 15, with the option of the first two days of the following week, would be enough time and they both said that would work.
When asked if they intend to file any pre-trial motions, both attorneys answered in the affirmative.
Schiek said he would be seeking to have so-called "other acts" evidence introduced as well as statements Miller may have made to others regarding her ex-boyfriend.
Attorney Anderson would only say that his motions would not require testimony.
Hearing that, Bloom scheduled a motion hearing for the morning of March 18.
The defendant, who appeared by video from the Oneida County jail, remained silent throughout the 8-minute hearing.
According to the testimony of two Oneida County Sheriff's Department detectives at Anderson's preliminary hearing, Miller's body was discovered in a ditch on River Bend Road at about 11 a.m. June 30 with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
Schiek first called Det. Sgt. Robert Hebein to the stand. Hebein was questioned about the on-scene investigation as well as the information learned through autopsy. He stated the pathologist who conducted the autopsy reported that Miller suffered four bullet wounds, one to the chest, two to the back and one at the base of the skull, along with a graze wound to the arm.
The detective also testified that the victim's purse yielded information, including a birth certificate for a young child, that prompted police to seek to speak with Anderson.
"The first person we wanted too talk to start our investigation was Christopher Anderson," Hebein said. "We put on our social media pages pictures of Christopher Anderson, the person we know was involved in a domestic relationship with H.M., and also vehicles that we believed were associated with H.M. or Christopher Terrell Anderson."
Both vehicles were recovered in the Twin Cities area.
Anderson eluded police for almost 70 days before he was captured in Illinois on Sept. 7.
The detective also testified that 26-year-old Seth Wakefield of Rhinelander was frequently mentioned as a "known associate" of Anderson. Wakefield was arrested during the Fourth of July weekend and charged with one count of first-degree intentional homicide (as party to the crime) in connection with Miller's death.
Detective Sergeant Tim Gensler testified as to what Wakefield disclosed in a post-arrest interview.
"Mr. Wakefield was aware that Mr. Anderson had been planning some sort of homicide or homicides for several weeks leading up to the actual homicide occurring," Gensler said.
The detective said that Wakefield admitted to taking part in numerous discussions and other actions to help advance the plan both with Anderson, or at his request. This included Wakefield renting a U-Haul truck to conduct surveillance on the victim's apartment from June 24-25. Wakefield also allegedly told Gensler that he had conducted surveillance on foot by himself at Anderson's directions on two separate occasions.
"Mr. Wakefield indicated it was his understanding that they were planning to murder both (Hannah) and both of her parents and abduct the child that they shared in common," Gensler testified.
Anderson is being held in the Oneida County Jail on a $1 million cash bond.
Wakefield is being held in the county jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing in Wakefield's case was held Dec. 13 before circuit judge Patrick O'Melia, who found there was probable cause to bind the defendant over for further proceedings. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 3
Both Anderson and Wakefield face life in prison if convicted.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected]. Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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