By Eileen Persike
MMC Staff
RHINELANDER – Cash bond was set at $1 million for the man charged with first degree intentional homicide in the death of a Rhinelander woman in June.
Christopher T. Anderson, 30, appeared via video from the Oneida County Jail for his initial appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.
When requesting bond, District Attorney Mike Schiek referred to the gravity of the offense and the fact that Anderson was a fugitive for more than two months before he was apprehended in Illinois in early September. Anderson’s only connection to Rhinelander, Schiek noted, was his alleged victim.
Anderson is charged with killing Hannah Miller, 26, of Rhinelander, in June and leaving her body on the side of the road in the Town of Pelican. Miller and Anderson were once in a relationship and had a child together.
Attorney Breanna Magallones appeared for the defendant, but declined to speak on Anderson’s behalf on the issue of bond because of a conflict in the Public Defender’s office. Anderson chose not to speak on his own behalf.
Judge Michael Bloom noted that the defendant is charged with “arguably the most serious criminal charge in the Wisconsin criminal code,” which calls for a mandatory life imprisonment sentence if convicted.
“The statutory considerations also include whether the alleged acts were violent in nature,” Bloom said. “The circumstances described in the complaint suggest an execution-style murder.”
Bloom also said the information presented in the case is “relatively straightforward and compelling,” also taking into consideration the case against Seth Wakefield, the Rhinelander man charged with helping Anderson.
“In that case, the information available on the criminal complaint provides information provided to law enforcement by Mr. Wakefield,” Bloom said. “The statements attributed to him in the complaint are so contrary to Mr. Wakefield’s own interest that it is difficult to believe he made them up. Those statements indicate a premeditated killing.”
Bloom ordered the $1 million cash bond with the condition that if bond is posted, Anderson is to have no contact of any kind and that no third party on his behalf have contact with the parents of the alleged victim.
Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Executive Director Shellie Holmes said the organization is grateful to the judicial system and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office for bringing Anderson back to the community.
“We believe that justice in our courts will be served on behalf of Hannah,” Holmes said. “Nothing can bring Hannah back or ease the pain of her family and friends for her life being taken, but we can find comfort in the hope that the accused will be convicted in Oneida County and will never be able to harm anyone again.”
Anderson is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance on Tuesday, Nov. 2.