In a high-profile Wisconsin murder trial, defense attorneys for Maxwell Anderson are pushing to introduce evidence that could implicate other possible suspects in the brutal killing of 19-year-old Sade Robinson, a young Black woman who disappeared after a first date with Anderson last spring.
Background: The Case Against Maxwell Anderson
Maxwell Anderson, 33, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson related to Robinson’s death in April 2024.
The victim’s remains were found along Lake Michigan’s shores in both Wisconsin and Illinois. Anderson, a Navy veteran and bartender, pleaded not guilty and remains jailed on a $5 million bond.
Contested Evidence: Drugs and Cash Found in Victim’s Apartment
Central to the defense strategy is a pink safe discovered in Robinson’s apartment containing 47 suspected methamphetamine pills, marijuana, and $888 in cash. Anderson’s attorney, Alex Cotton, argues that these items could point to Robinson’s involvement with illicit drug activity, suggesting an alternative theory that someone else may have had motive to kill her.
Legal experts note the defense isn’t necessarily proving another suspect’s guilt but aims to raise reasonable doubt by highlighting Robinson’s alleged connections to the local drug scene.
Prosecution Responds: Claims of Speculation and Lack of Evidence
Prosecutors have criticized the defense’s theory as speculative, emphasizing that Robinson had no prior accusations or charges related to drugs. The judge has allowed the introduction of the safe and its contents to the jury, though its impact on the trial remains uncertain.
Trial Proceedings and Evidence Overview
Jury selection began May 27, with the trial expected to last at least two weeks. Prosecutors plan to present surveillance footage, forensic data, and testimony from over 250 witnesses. Key evidence includes cellphone tracking and witness interviews that place Robinson at Anderson’s residence and the park where her remains were found.
Although blood was discovered in Anderson’s home, forensic tests confirmed it did not belong to Robinson.
Confession and Informant Testimony
A confidential informant alleges Anderson described a detailed premeditated plan to kill and dismember Robinson, including luring her to his home, threatening her with a handgun, and disposing of her body in a tarp-lined basement room.
Family Impact and Community Response
Robinson’s family has expressed profound grief and frustration over the loss and the slow pursuit of justice. Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, has been vocal about systemic failures and calls for accountability, including lawsuits against Anderson and two Milwaukee bars accused of serving Robinson alcohol despite her being underage.
Scarbrough also condemned a Waukegan city official who shared graphic photos of Robinson’s severed arm on social media, vowing legal action against all involved parties.
Memorial and Legacy
In memory of her daughter, Scarbrough founded the Sade Voice Foundation, which provides scholarships for self-defense classes. A community-led effort has also funded a memorial at the Milwaukee park where Robinson’s remains were found, despite earlier racist backlash that derailed official county funding.
Looking Ahead: A Trial Shaped by Brutality and Doubt
As the trial unfolds, prosecutors will focus on Anderson’s alleged brutality and calculated actions, while the defense attempts to sow reasonable doubt by highlighting new evidence that could implicate other parties. This case remains one of Wisconsin’s most closely watched murder trials, with the outcome carrying significant emotional and legal weight.