Michael Carpenter sentenced to life in prison for murder of Nicole Hammond in 2022

By Shay Lelonek / Deputy News Director

BENTON COUNTY, Minnesota — A St. Cloud man will be sentenced to life in prison in October 2022 for the murder of his co-worker.

Benton County District Court sentenced 36-year-old Michael Carpenter to life in prison on Friday, September 20, for killing 28-year-old Nicole Hammond following a text message exchange in which Hammond asked Carpenter not to touch her.

On October 24, 2022, Carpenter approached her in the parking lot of Dubow Textile before her work shift and shot her.

Carpenter was first convicted of first-degree intentional murder and second-degree intentional murder in August 2024.

At today's sentencing, Attorney General Keith Ellison said: “I am pleased that the court has held Michael Carpenter fully accountable for the crime he committed. I hope that this accountability can finally bring some measure of peace to Nicole's family.”