MN Man Sentenced To Life For Killing Coworker Who Rejected Advances

Crime & Safety

MN Man Sentenced To Life For Killing Coworker Who Rejected Advances Nicole Hammond, 28, was shot and killed after telling a man she did not want him to touch her.

ST. CLOUD, MN — A Benton County district court has sentenced Michael Carpenter to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the October 2022 murder of his co-worker, Nicole Hammond.

Carpenter, 38, shot and killed Nicole Hammond, 28, following a text message exchange in which Hammond requested not to be touched by Carpenter.

A jury convicted Carpenter of first-degree premeditated murder on Aug. 2 after a two-week trial. Attorney General Keith Ellison's office prosecuted the case at the request of the Benton County Attorney.

On Oct. 24, 2022, Carpenter approached Hammond before her work shift in the parking lot of Dubow Textile, armed with a 9mm pistol, and fired a single shot through Hammond's neck, according to court documents.

"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," said Attorney General Keith Ellison in a news release.

"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."

The St. Cloud Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigated the shooting with assistance from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office and the Benton County Sheriff's Office