In 2022, a St. Cloud man will be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of release for killing a female coworker.
Last month, a jury in Benton County found Michael Jordan Carpenter, 38, guilty of first-degree premeditated murder for murdering 28-year-old Nicole Michelle Hammond, who had turned down his amorous advances.
Carpenter was initially charged in 2022 with second-degree murder for the deadly shooting that occurred in the parking lot of Dubow Textile at 455 Lincoln Ave. NE., where he and Hammond worked. Charges were upgraded to first-degree murder in April 2023.
According to the criminal complaint, Hammond was found next to her car in the parking lot, with a puddle of blood around her head, after Carpenter shot her in the neck shortly before 7 a.m.
A coworker reported seeing Carpenter exit his car and move to the south end of the parking lot before hearing a gunshot. They then observed him jog towards his car and drive away.
Hammond was pronounced dead at the scene, and when authorities searched her phone, they discovered “numerous text messages” between her and Carpenter the night before.
In the chats, Hammond stated that she “did not want to be touched by [Carpenter], nor did she want to be manipulated by him.”
The case was pursued by the Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who stated on Friday, “My thoughts are with Nicole Hammond’s friends, family, and community today.” Nicole was a brilliant, compassionate, and kind individual who enjoyed art and the outdoors. She will be missed by many.
“I am glad that today the Court held Michael Carpenter entirely accountable for the crime he committed. I hope that this accountability can someday provide some solace to Nicole’s loved ones.
