Body parts found in Milwaukee County: Maxwell Anderson pleads not guilty

MILWAUKEE - Maxwell Anderson, the man accused of killing and mutilating 19-year-old Sade Robinson, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Monday, April 22. He then pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in Robinson's death.

An amended criminal complaint noted that blood found in Anderson's home does not match Robinson's DNA. Prosecutors did not say whose blood it might be.

Monday's court appearance was Anderson's first since the torso and arm believed to belong to Robinson were found along Lake Michigan last week. Anderson was arrested on April 4, two days after someone found Robinson's leg at Warnimont Park in Cudahy. 

Investigators used surveillance and cellphone data to track Anderson down, prosecutors said. Prosecutors say Anderson and Robinson went on a first date when Robinson was killed. What led to the death and a motive are not clear. 

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"This gentleman, I believed moved very calculated through the city. And was intentional about where he placed the body parts, the car setting it on fire. And just getting on the bus as if it were just an ordinary day," said April Bentley. 

Bentley was one of several people who attended Monday's hearing to support the Robinson family. 

"Even though they weren’t here, I stand in the gap," Bentley said.

FOX6 News reached out to Anderson's attorney, Tony Cotton, for comments on Sunday. He said, "We have no statement to make."

Anderson is due back in court on May 16 for a scheduling conference.