Prosecutors: Chandler Halderson created ‘web of lies’ through phony email addresses

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Chandler Halderson created a “web of lies” about his employment status and college enrollment through phony email accounts linked back to the defendant, prosecutors continued to press home to jurors Wednesday.

Halderson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first degree intentional homicide in the deaths of his parents, Bart and Krista Halderson. He is also accused of two counts of providing false information on a kidnapping, two counts of mutilating a corpse and two counts of hiding a corpse.

While prosecutors said the day before that Wednesday could be the day that Dane Co. prosecutors wrap up their case against the 23-year-old man, they haven’t finished yet. When prosecutors do complete their arguments, the case will then go to Halderson’s defense attorneys who will present any evidence on their client’s behalf. It is still unclear whether Halderson will take the stand.

The eighth day of testimonies began Wednesday with Detective Tim Blanke, who was in charge of acquiring search warrants, searching for Halderson email accounts associated with the family’s internet account and going through Google searches.

The state pointed to four email accounts with different identities, all of which were connected back to Chandler Halderson. The names associated with these accounts were Alyssa Brandt, Daniel Speith, Aaron Hoover and Chandler Halderson.

The detective analyzed a cell phone found in Chandler’s room, which the state described as a “burner phone.” Authorities were not able to get any data from the phone other than the number for it.

A cell phone for Bart Halderson was found hidden in a shoe along with his driver’s license. The detective was able to see photos, videos, call logs, texts, contacts and web browser history from Bart Halderson’s phone.

The defense asked the detective how many phones he analyzed, to which he replied two- Bart Halderson’s and Chandler’s former girlfriend Catherine Mellender.

Detective Sabrina Sims, who has been on the stand multiple times throughout this trial, took the stand next. She read off each of the email names listed by Blanke, noting messages coming from Chandler Halderson’s primary email account never said he worked at SpaceX or bank. The word “SpaceX” itself never came up in that account, the official noted. Chandler had told multiple family members and friends that he received a job at SpaceX, but was unable to travel to Florida to take the job because of a severe head injury. The state argued on the first day of the trial that there is no evidence Chandler ever applied for a job at the company, nor was he ever offered a position there.

In an email exchange between Bart and Chandler, Bart had asked why Chandler wasn’t getting paid for his work. Chandler told his father he was asking about the issue. The state presented emails next between Chandler and someone named Tom Sellsnick, who explained why there was a delay in getting Chandler paid from his job at American Family Insurance. These emails were all dated around June 24, 2021. Detective Sims later learned the “Tom” email was from a server out of Switzerland.

A second email account, created on Aug. 5, 2020, came from someone who worked at Madison College named Daniel Speith. This account then emailed both Bart and Chandler right away about an upcoming Zoom call, which Speith later canceled because “a family member became infected with the coronavirus.” Speith also told Bart that Chandler’s counselor at Madison College would not be able to meet with him, but Speith would be able to virtually. Bart emailed back and forth with Speith, asking if Chandler had set up an account to receive his transcripts and when he would receive fortifications for a solar energy program. Chandler also emailed Speith to get his transcripts.

“Alyssa Brandt” was a name associated with a third email account, which was set up on Aug. 18, 2020. Sims explained that Chandler emailed this account saying that he and Brandt had talked on the phone. He also asked if she had reached out to Bart Halderson, to which she replied she hadn’t.

Records show “Brandt” told Chandler she had the wrong email address for his father. Bart eventually connected with Brandt, asking to meet and telling her information on Chandler’s student status has been causing issues with financial aid and “other concerns.” He also suggested that he and Krista Halderson meet with Brandt to clear up any miscommunications.

In communications between Brandt and Chandler, Sims described how he told Brandt that he couldn’t make a meeting with someone named Aaron Hoover because he was sick after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first time “Aaron Hoover” is mentioned, which is the identity of a fourth email address connected back to Chandler Halderson. Brandt said she would reschedule the meeting and that they were short staffed at the college, which would likely shift meeting times around.

The state also pointed out that the email was signed off as “Brant,” but the email address has the name “Brandt.”

Brandt and Chandler Halderson went back and forth over time, with Chandler asking for answers on his student status and Alyssa saying they would reschedule. Bart eventually emailed Brandt saying that the amount of rescheduling is unprofessional, noting it has gone on for over a year and was costing the family money.

Sims stated the last email was sent at the end of June 2021, with Alyssa appearing to be a counselor at Madison College. The state pointed out there is no one at the college by that name who advisees students, and the email account was set up using Chandler Halderson’s birthday and the IP address matches the Halderson home’s internet.

The state presented emails from someone by the name of Aaron Hoover. This account was set up on May 28, 2021. Aaron also identified himself as a counselor at Madison College.

In an email to Hoover, Chandler said that he needed a meeting with him immediately in order to keep his job. The email address of Hoover old Chandler he could contact his employer if that would help and that he forwarded Chandler’s information to the person in charge, who was busy. Chandler then reportedly canceled a meeting saying there was a work conflict.

Sims continued reading the emails, as Chandler Halderson asked Hoover to send information to Bart Halderson. Aaron sent an email on June 10 that he was taking the week off due to a family emergency.

The detective pointed out that the IP address for Aaron Hoover’s email also was located at the Halderson household.

A representative from Madison College later testified Wednesday that no one by the names “Aaron Hoover,” “Alyssa Brandt,” “Alyssa Brant,” or “Daniel Speith,” ever worked for Madison College.

After a short break, Lori Snapp, employee relations manager for American Family Insurance, told the courtroom there was no record someone named “Tom Sellsnick” ever worked there, which was the name of the person reportedly corresponding with Chandler from the company.

Detective Brian Shunk was also brought back to the stand to discuss his investigation into Chandler Halderson’s enrollment at Madison College. Looking at unofficial transcripts, Shunk stated Chandler was enrolled at the school during the Spring 2018 semester. Shunk listed the following information about Chandler’s enrollment in following semesters:

The Spring 2019 semester was the last class Chandler Halderson received credit for, Shunk said. Chandler Halderson never was considered a full-time student.

A customer service representative from Madison College, Omar Jobe, testified about a phone call he had with Bart Halderson on June 29, 2021 about Chandler’s enrollment. During the call, Jobe looks into Chandler’s account with Bart and told him that Chandler owed over $2,000 and that was why Chandler couldn’t request a transcript. He also told Bart Halderson that Chandler has never admitted into a solar program, nor did he have a certificate that Bart thought he had received.

Bart also asked Jobe if Daniel Speith and Alyssa Brandt were employees at the school, to which Jobe replied that they weren’t.

Prosecutors divided Tuesday’s testimony between expert witnesses discussing the remains of both Bart and Krista Halderson that were found during the course of the investigation and three friends of the defendant, all of whom testified about statements that Halderson made that were not based on facts.

Following a lunch break, a detective read a text message from Bart Halderson to Chandler Halderson around 2 p.m. saying “I spoke to Omar Jobe.”

He then sent Chandler a text that said “I’m ready when you are.”

After 3 p.m. on July 1, health app data on Bart Halderson’s iPhone showed data that sensed activity. After that, there was no more activity on Bart’s phone.

Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Analyst Courtney Ripp described Google and YouTube searches made by Chandler Halderson, with the prosecution putting emphasis on searches from July 8. These were the searches, as described in the criminal complaint:

• July 8, 2021: 9:44:30 a.m., “Body found Wisconsin.”
• 9:44:41 a.m., “Woman’s body found in Wisconsin.”
• 9:44:50 a.m., “Wisconsin dismembered body found.”
• 9:45:25 a.m., “Dead body found in Wisconsin.”
• 9:45:40 a.m., “Body found in Milwaukee River 2021.”
• 3:12:46 p.m., “Bart and Krista.”

Sims also outlined cell phone activity among the Halderson family. Bart’s phone was inactive after July 1, 2021, while Krista’s phone had limited activity between July 2 and one text exchange was sent on July 4.

Chandler’s phone was active around the residence on July 2, Sims noted, and one other tower pinged by a Fleet Farm around 7 a.m. that day. His phone activity showed various locations on July 3, including around the home, the Town of Roxbury and the Portage area. Snapchat locators also indicate Chandler was in the Town of Roxbury, which is the area Krista Halderson’s remains were found.

The defense challenged the cell phone data, saying you can’t tell who is using the cell phone, just that it is in use and where it has been.

NBC15 conducted an interview with Chandler Halderson the day of his arrest, but before he was taken into custody and formally considered a suspect in his parents’ deaths. Chandler had only consented to an audio interview, which is why he doesn’t appear on camera.

Copyright 2021 WMTV. All rights reserved.