Karlsen Murder Trial
San Andreas, CA — Karl Karlsen, who is being investigated by Calaveras County Sheriff’s Officials for possibly killing his wife, will stand trial for the murder of their son in New York.
Last week, 52 year old Karl Karlsen refused to plead guilty and requested a jury trial. The Seneca Daily News reports a three-count indictment has charged Karlsen with two counts of murder in the second degree and one count of insurance fraud in the second degree. The indictment alleges that Karlsen caused the death of his 23 year old son, Levi Karlsen, by causing a truck the son was repairing to fall on him in 2008.
Prosecutors believe Karlsen killed his son to collect insurance money. Karlsen’s trial is set to start with jury selection on Friday, October 25, 2013.
The New York case prompted Calaveras County Sheriff’s Officials to investigate Karlsen as a suspect in the possible murder of his wife 22 year ago. In 1991, Kristina Karlsen died in a house fire in Murphys while Karl and their three children escaped the flames.
In January, investigators re-opened the case and started questioning people mention in the initial 1991 fire report. Sheriff’s Officials say the case is now in the hands of Calaveras County D.A. Barbara Yook.
Sgt. Chris Hewitt says, “The Sheriff’s Department has turned all the related reports over to the District Attorney’s office for review.”
Karlsen walked away with $200,000 in insurance money after the death of his wife.
