Supreme Court Upholds Duluth Murder Conviction

The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man found guilty of murdering another man and critically injuring a woman in Duluth in 2001. 

43-year-old Vidale Whitson is serving a life sentence for the murder of Milton Williams plus 15 years for the attempted murder of Tami Carlson. 

The incident happened on April 24, 2001 inside of Carlson’s apartment during what police say was a drug-related robbery.   

Williams died after being shot three times in the legs and once in the head.  Carlson was shot once in the left cheek, causing major injuries to her face, jaw, neck, and vocal cords. 

Three men were arrested in connection to the incident- Tyrone White, Ben King and Vidale Whitson.   As part of a plea agreement, King was sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison in exchange for testifying at Whitson’s trial.  

King testified that on the day of the shooting, the men traveled from Minneapolis to Duluth with the intention to rob Williams.    He said he was leaving the apartment when he heard gunshots and turned around to see Whitson standing in the doorway, holding the gun.  He testified that Williams was staggering, and Whitson then shot him in the top of the head.   

Whitson filed an appeal arguing misconduct by the prosecution, fabrication of evidence, ineffective counsel, withholding of evidence, and violations of his rights. 

The Supreme Court ultimately rejected Whitson’s arguments, denying a new trial.