Itasca County woman charged with murder, arson

A woman from Ball Club, Minnesota has been charged with murder and arson.

Itasca County officials say 42-year-old Crystal Marie Wilson has been charged with Second Degree Intentional Murder and First Degree Arson. The maximum penalty for the most severe charge is 40 years in prison.

The incident happened on July 18, when law enforcement responded to a camper fire in Ball Club. According to the criminal complaint, a man was lying next to the camper with severe burns, after being pulled out of the flames by others who saw the flames. No pulse was found, and the man appeared to have puncture wounds on his back and arms.

The investigation led authorities to believe Wilson may have been involved. The criminal complaint says Wilson went to someone’s house on July 18 wearing clothes covered in blood. Wilson also allegedly had other evidence, including a pair of scissors and a blood-stained notebook with the victim’s name.

In a confession to authorities, Wilson admitted to using methamphetamine and alcohol the day before the incident, and was going to the victim’s camper knowing she could get more substances. The criminal complaint says Wilson became nervous the victim would attack her, which may have initiated her attack on the victim using a pair of scissors.

According to the criminal complaint, Wilson used a lighter to set fire to the curtains and a blanket inside the camper.

Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office noted that a post-mortem examination was performed and identified the manner of death as a homicide with the cause of death as multiple blunt, sharp and asphyxial injuries including several broken ribs.

At the arraignment hearing Thursday, Itasca County Attorney Matti Adam requested bail to be set at $1,000,000 without conditions. District Court Judge Teresa Warner agreed.

Wilson’s next court appearance is set for August 3.