Itasca Co. Woman Pleads Guilty to Murder and Arson Charges

Crystal Marie Wilson

An Itasca County woman has pleaded guilty in court to charges of murder and arson in relation after a man was found stabbed to death in a burning camper in Ball Club in July 2022.

According to the Itasca County Attorney’s Office, on October 31st, 42-year-old Crystal Marie Wilson of Deer River pleaded guilty in court to a 2nd-degree intentional murder charge and a 1st-degree arson charge. Wilson faces up to 448 months (or a little more than 37 years) in prison. During the plea hearing, Itasca County Attorney Matti Adam told the court that the state will seek two consecutive sentences if Wilson is found guilty of both offenses.

The charges come from an incident in Ball Club on July 18th, 2022. Wilson reportedly stabbed the victim, 59-year-old Bradley Raymond, multiple times with a pair of needle-nose pliers before setting his camper on fire. According to the criminal complaint, the Midwest Examiner’s Office also noted asphyxial injuries including several broken ribs. The case was investigated by Itasca County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and other local law enforcement agencies.

Wilson’s counsel will reportedly appear at a separate hearing to argue an appropriate sentencing. The press release also states the defendant’s counsel will ask the court to look at mitigating factors and order a reduced sentence.

Wilson’s sentencing hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. on January 20th, 2023 following a pre-sentence investigation as ordered by the court.