Topline: A judge sentenced Maxwell Anderson to life in prison without parole for killing and dismembering a 19-year-old college student.
Published: August 12, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Maxwell Anderson, Sade Robinson
MILWAUKEE, WI — Maxwell Anderson, the 34-year-old man who killed and dismembered 19-year-old Sade Robinson, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole earlier this month.
Judge Laura Crivello sentenced Anderson after he was found guilty on all charges following a two-week-long trial.
According to Spectrum News 1, Anderson received the maximum sentence on all counts. Judge Crivello stated she saw no accountability from Anderson during the trial.
The charges against him included first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating and hiding a corpse, and arson of property other than a building. First-degree intentional homicide in Wisconsin carries a mandatory life sentence. The judge’s decision determined whether Anderson would be eligible for parole.
Anderson’s attorney, Tony Cotton, asked the judge for a chance at parole after 25 years. He said Anderson had served in the U.S. Navy and suffers from mental health problems. Cotton also mentioned that Anderson had misdemeanor disorderly conduct counts related to domestic violence, but they were not serious offenses compared to most homicide cases. Cotton expressed concern for Anderson’s safety in prison.
Judge Crivello denied parole for Anderson, calling him irredeemable and his crimes “unconscionable.” The judge dismissed Anderson’s claims of innocence, saying his view of reality “differs from the rest of the world.” She compared the case to a horror novel and spoke about the “unimaginable” pain of a parent whose child is “dismembered and disgraced.”
At the sentencing, about 50 people came to support Robinson. Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, called Anderson a “coward” and the “devil,” saying he deserves no protection in prison. Robinson’s father, Carlos Robinson, told the judge that prison was not enough. “Everything that he did should be done to him,” he said.
The judge also sentenced Anderson to 7 1/2 years for the dismemberment count and a year and a half for the arson charge. Online court records show a fourth count of hiding a corpse was dismissed by the judge on Friday. The attorney, Cotton, had argued that Anderson could not be convicted of both mutilating and hiding a corpse.
CNN reported that Anderson plans to appeal the case and has maintained his innocence. During the sentencing, he said he hoped “true justice will be delivered.” Judge Crivello mentioned that Anderson had told an investigator a stranger kidnapped Robinson.
Robinson was reported missing on April 2, 2024, after a date with Maxwell Anderson the day before. Her burned car was found the next morning. In the weeks that followed, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office found several body parts in the Milwaukee area, which were identified as belonging to Robinson.
County Executive David Crowley said the sentencing provides “a step toward justice” for Sade Robinson. He noted that the verdict delivers accountability and allows the community to “begin the long journey toward healing.”
A restitution hearing for the case is set for September 4.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Milwaukee Man Gets Life Sentence for Grisly Murder
A judge sentenced Maxwell Anderson to life in prison without parole for killing and dismembering a 19-year-old college student.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 12, 2025 8:30 am ET
Maxwell Anderson, Sade Robinson
MILWAUKEE, WI — Maxwell Anderson, the 34-year-old man who killed and dismembered 19-year-old Sade Robinson, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole earlier this month.
Judge Laura Crivello sentenced Anderson after he was found guilty on all charges following a two-week-long trial.
According to Spectrum News 1, Anderson received the maximum sentence on all counts. Judge Crivello stated she saw no accountability from Anderson during the trial.
The charges against him included first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating and hiding a corpse, and arson of property other than a building. First-degree intentional homicide in Wisconsin carries a mandatory life sentence. The judge’s decision determined whether Anderson would be eligible for parole.
Anderson’s attorney, Tony Cotton, asked the judge for a chance at parole after 25 years. He said Anderson had served in the U.S. Navy and suffers from mental health problems. Cotton also mentioned that Anderson had misdemeanor disorderly conduct counts related to domestic violence, but they were not serious offenses compared to most homicide cases. Cotton expressed concern for Anderson’s safety in prison.
Judge Crivello denied parole for Anderson, calling him irredeemable and his crimes “unconscionable.” The judge dismissed Anderson’s claims of innocence, saying his view of reality “differs from the rest of the world.” She compared the case to a horror novel and spoke about the “unimaginable” pain of a parent whose child is “dismembered and disgraced.”
At the sentencing, about 50 people came to support Robinson. Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, called Anderson a “coward” and the “devil,” saying he deserves no protection in prison. Robinson’s father, Carlos Robinson, told the judge that prison was not enough. “Everything that he did should be done to him,” he said.
The judge also sentenced Anderson to 7 1/2 years for the dismemberment count and a year and a half for the arson charge. Online court records show a fourth count of hiding a corpse was dismissed by the judge on Friday. The attorney, Cotton, had argued that Anderson could not be convicted of both mutilating and hiding a corpse.
CNN reported that Anderson plans to appeal the case and has maintained his innocence. During the sentencing, he said he hoped “true justice will be delivered.” Judge Crivello mentioned that Anderson had told an investigator a stranger kidnapped Robinson.
Robinson was reported missing on April 2, 2024, after a date with Maxwell Anderson the day before. Her burned car was found the next morning. In the weeks that followed, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office found several body parts in the Milwaukee area, which were identified as belonging to Robinson.
County Executive David Crowley said the sentencing provides “a step toward justice” for Sade Robinson. He noted that the verdict delivers accountability and allows the community to “begin the long journey toward healing.”
A restitution hearing for the case is set for September 4.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Milwaukee Man Gets Life Sentence for Grisly Murder
A judge sentenced Maxwell Anderson to life in prison without parole for killing and dismembering a 19-year-old college student.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 12, 2025 8:30 am ET
Maxwell Anderson, Sade Robinson
MILWAUKEE, WI — Maxwell Anderson, the 34-year-old man who killed and dismembered 19-year-old Sade Robinson, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole earlier this month.
Judge Laura Crivello sentenced Anderson after he was found guilty on all charges following a two-week-long trial.
According to Spectrum News 1, Anderson received the maximum sentence on all counts. Judge Crivello stated she saw no accountability from Anderson during the trial.
The charges against him included first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating and hiding a corpse, and arson of property other than a building. First-degree intentional homicide in Wisconsin carries a mandatory life sentence. The judge’s decision determined whether Anderson would be eligible for parole.
Anderson’s attorney, Tony Cotton, asked the judge for a chance at parole after 25 years. He said Anderson had served in the U.S. Navy and suffers from mental health problems. Cotton also mentioned that Anderson had misdemeanor disorderly conduct counts related to domestic violence, but they were not serious offenses compared to most homicide cases. Cotton expressed concern for Anderson’s safety in prison.
Judge Crivello denied parole for Anderson, calling him irredeemable and his crimes “unconscionable.” The judge dismissed Anderson’s claims of innocence, saying his view of reality “differs from the rest of the world.” She compared the case to a horror novel and spoke about the “unimaginable” pain of a parent whose child is “dismembered and disgraced.”
At the sentencing, about 50 people came to support Robinson. Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, called Anderson a “coward” and the “devil,” saying he deserves no protection in prison. Robinson’s father, Carlos Robinson, told the judge that prison was not enough. “Everything that he did should be done to him,” he said.
The judge also sentenced Anderson to 7 1/2 years for the dismemberment count and a year and a half for the arson charge. Online court records show a fourth count of hiding a corpse was dismissed by the judge on Friday. The attorney, Cotton, had argued that Anderson could not be convicted of both mutilating and hiding a corpse.
CNN reported that Anderson plans to appeal the case and has maintained his innocence. During the sentencing, he said he hoped “true justice will be delivered.” Judge Crivello mentioned that Anderson had told an investigator a stranger kidnapped Robinson.
Robinson was reported missing on April 2, 2024, after a date with Maxwell Anderson the day before. Her burned car was found the next morning. In the weeks that followed, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office found several body parts in the Milwaukee area, which were identified as belonging to Robinson.
County Executive David Crowley said the sentencing provides “a step toward justice” for Sade Robinson. He noted that the verdict delivers accountability and allows the community to “begin the long journey toward healing.”
A restitution hearing for the case is set for September 4.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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