MILWAUKEE — The prosecution and defense both rested their cases Thursday in Day 8 of the Maxwell Anderson trial. Anderson is accused of killing and dismembering 19-year-old Sade Robinson after a first date in 2024.
State, defense rest
The state finished examining witnesses and rested its case at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the trial.
The defense rested less than 20 minutes later, without calling any witnesses to the stand, meaning Maxwell Anderson will not testify.
The defense did make a motion to dismiss all charges in the case, which the judge denied.
Each side was given 45 minutes for closing arguments Thursday afternoon. Robinson's mother was escorted out of the court during the State's closing.
Several people in the courtroom were seen crying.
Jury deliberations were held until around 5 p.m. and will continue again Friday.
Watch: Local attorney provides legal analysis following closing arguments in Maxwell Anderson trial
Anderson’s ex-girlfriend testifies
A former girlfriend of Anderson testified Thursday that she led investigators to the "secret beach" where remains of Robinson were later discovered.
The 24-year-old witness, who dated Anderson from December 2021 until March 2023, told jurors that Anderson had taken her to a secluded beach at Warnimont Park approximately five to 10 times during their relationship.
The witness said she contacted the sheriff’s office after Anderson was taken into custody because she knew “he was a pretty secretive person” and wanted to share information about his home and the beach location.
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Detective John Guillot testified that the beach location identified by the former girlfriend was the same location where Robinson’s leg was found.
Watch: Significant new evidence presented in court on Day 8 of the Maxwell Anderson trial
Hidden compartments
Anderson’s former girlfriend also testified that he had hidden compartments throughout his home, including “shelves with false backs” and a bathroom vanity with a concealed area underneath the cabinets.
She also described a closet in the living room area that Anderson would conceal behind an entertainment center.
Watch: Sade Robinson's DNA found inside Anderson's home
During cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned her about a bar fight involving Anderson and her ex-boyfriend at a bar on St. Patrick’s Day in 2022. She testified that she couldn’t recall who initiated the altercation.
Anderson’s phone evidence revealed
Prosecutors also presented evidence showing Anderson texted Robinson’s phone the morning after she was already dead, sending a message that read, “Morning how is work going” at 10:36 a.m. on April 2.
The prosecution also showed jurors photographs recovered from Anderson’s phone depicting Robinson lying down on his red couch with some of her clothes off - detectives testified they couldn't tell if she was alive, dead, unconscious, or sleeping.
Click here to read all the court updates from Wednesday.
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