On This Date in Minnesota History: April 21

April 21, 1963 – “Richard Sharpe, one of two suspects arrested by Phoenix, Ariz., police Friday, April 19, in connection” with the murder of Carol Thompson, has implicated Dick W. C. Anderson, the second suspect arrested in Phoenix, as the actual murderer.  Sharpe said Anderson accepted an offer to kill Mrs. Thompson from Norman Mastrian, also arrested on Friday at his home in Spring Lake Park. At this time, police were offering no reason as to why Mastrian would have wanted Mrs. Thompson killed.

St. Paul Pioneer Press; “Slay Suspect May Waive Extradition; Sharp Called Co-operative By Authorities;” April 22, 1963; pp. 1 and 2.

Murder of Carol Thompson; see March 6, 2013 blog


Gun handle pieces found at the scene of Carol Thompson’s murder identified; see April 9, 2013 blog


Thieves admit to stealing and selling gun used in Carol Thompson murder; see April 17, 2013 blog


Suspects arrested in Carol Thompson’s murder; see April 19, 2013 blog


T. Eugene Thompson represented one of the suspects in his wife’s murder; see April 23, 2013 blog


Pistol used to bludgeon Carol Thompson found; see April 30, 2013 blog


T. Eugene Thompson walks out on grand jury; see May 2, 2013 blog


Getaway car in Carol Thompson murder located; see May 3, 2013 blog


Blood-stained trousers believed to have been worn by Carol Thompson’s murderer found; May 9, 2013 blog

Suspect in Carol Thompson’s murder confesses, implicates T. Eugene Thompson; see June 20, 2013 blog


T. Eugene Thompson arrested in his wife’s murder; see June 21, 2013 blog


T. Eugene Thompson’s role in wife’s murder revealed to public; see June 22, 2013 bog

Minn. Supreme Court affirms T. Eugene Thompson’s conviction; see Jan. 7, 2014 blog


Minn. Supreme Court denies T. Eugene Thompson’s attempt to collect wife’s insurance death benefits; see Feb. 10, 2014 blog