'I'll beat my case:' $200K cash bond for man accused in random, fatal stabbing in Greenfield
Amando Lang
GREENFIELD -- Court documents have revealed disturbing details about the 19-year-old man police say fatally stabbed an innocent man in a random attack in Greenfield Tuesday, Aug. 27. Those documents detail evidence police found during a search of Amando Lang's apartment, and what prosecutors say Lang told investigators after his arrest.
Lang is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the death of 49-year-old Ben Christianson of Madison.
According to a criminal complaint, Lang offered a statement to police after his arrest. The complaint says Lang spoke of "the man at Speedway," and said, "Basically what happened is that man was a criminal."
Lang said, "This man was going to try to murder my family and (expletive)."
Lang added, in part:
"I went and told him in the call, 'You sat there and tried breaking into my door again. I'm going to meet you at Speedway where you work and do your dirty (expletive) to the (expletive) government. Meaning, you are a criminal, and I'm going to sit there and I'm going to shank you in your neck with my (expletive) innuendo. So this man was thinking, "Oh, I have a 99% chance of killing him, right?" Which is me. Which, I'm not up there. I'm here now. I'm living. I killed him, right?
So basically, I went to the sidewalk. I sat there and walked all the way down there. I slipped my innuendo, put it through his (expletive) neck, watched his (expletive) neck bleed out putrid (expletive) blood, knowing I had a 99% chance of dying.
Which I am officially known as FBI cop.
So basically, when I killed him, I ran all the way home. I got arrested. Which, I'm here right now. And, you know, I'll beat my case."
Amando Lang
Ben Christianson
The complaint states Lang described the weapon he used as an automatic knife.
Those documents also detail the moment Lang's mother was allowed to speak with her son in custody. It states that as she was escorted into the interview room, Lang said "I had to kill that man, Mom. I had to kill that (expletive) man."
A search warrant obtained by FOX6 News states that a week before the stabbing, Lang sent a Snapchat message to a friend, saying he was, "Trying to smell death."
The day of the stabbing, authorities say they found numerous weapons, including knives, box cutters, razor blades, and blood stains in Lang's apartment. Police say it's evidence that links Lang to the brutal killing of Christianson.
Christianson was stabbed around noon Tuesday, Aug. 27 while doing contract work for Verizon near 60th and Armour in Greenfield -- collecting soil samples as an employee of Ramaker & Associates, based in Sauk City.
The complaint says a witness working to provide aid to Christianson at the scene told police she saw someone in all black running northbound over the expressway overpass.
Amando Lang
Prior to the stabbing, police say Lang was caught on camera wearing dark clothing -- moving through the area -- making his way toward 60th and Armour.
Lang was arrested at his home near 61st and Cold Spring on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
According to police, this was a random attack. Christianson, who had no connection to Lang, was stabbed in the neck.
"It's kind of disturbing, to say the least," said Michael Davis, Greenfield resident.
Police say Lang's sister told them Lang left around noon Tuesday, Aug. 27, and returned about 20 minutes later -- giving her a look she described as, "His look for when he has done something wrong." She said he carries weapons around, including swords, knives, and a BB gun. She said as he leaves the house, he often says he's, "Going to go out and kill people."
Lang was once photographed by a neighbor wielding a sword.
Lang's mother told police her son struggles with autism and anger issues, and had stopped taking his medication.
Amando Lang
"Everybody's second guessing everybody around you," said Davis. "Do you know 'em? Do you really know anybody? It makes you think any time you do anything, you keep your kids near."
Amando Lang
Lang was being held in the Milwaukee County Jail.
Christianson would have turned 50 years old on Labor Day. His mother, Jane Christianson, issued the following statement to FOX6 News:
"It is ironic that Ben's life was ended where he loved being -- outdoors -- doing what he loved, his job. Ben lived his almost 50 years fully; skiing, fishing, working and camping with his buddies."
Lang made his initial appearance in court Saturday, Aug. 31. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 9. Cash bond was set at $200,000.