Minn. woman accused of murdering man and igniting camper because she was 'burning a witch'
07/26/2022 3:45 pm PDT
BALL CLUB, Minn. (TCD) -- A 42-year-old woman was charged with murder after she allegedly killed a man and set a camper on fire.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by WCCO-TV, on Sunday, July 17, Crystal Wilson attended the Mii Gwitch Mahnomen Days Pow Wow and used methamphetamine and alcohol. She reportedly went to a camper after the pow wow to use more drugs with the victim.
The complaint alleges that Wilson believed the victim was going to attack her with a butcher knife, so she stabbed him numerous times. Wilson also reportedly punched and kicked the victim.
According to WCCO, Wilson told authorities, "I just kept going," and that she "pissed on him" before she went unconscious.
Wilson allegedly woke up and poked the victim’s wounds and thought they felt cold, so she lit the camper on fire, thinking she was "burning a witch."
On Monday, July 18, first responders and a Deer River police officer responded to the scene, where they saw the camper engulfed in flames, KSTP-TV reports.
Authorities reportedly found the victim’s body lying west of the camper with severe burns on his arms, along with puncture wounds. Upon further search of the area, investigators did not find the butcher knife Wilson described, KSTP reports. Authorities did, however, reportedly retrieve a pair of needle nose pliers.
Wilson allegedly suffered bruising on her body, although she did not know if the injuries were from before or after the incident.
On July 20, Wilson was arrested and booked into Itasca County Jail for second-degree murder and first-degree arson, records show. Her bail was set at $1 million without conditions and $500,000 with conditions, KSTP reports. Wilson is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 3.
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