Judge: Police acted properly in murder case

Adam Christenson came to the attention of police early in their investigation of the 2004 murder of a 16-year-old Ingleside girl.

Detectives testified Tuesday that Christenson, 25, was one of the first people they spoke with after finding Elizabeth Willding's body in her home, and their every encounter with him raised suspicions.

The testimony came during a motion challenging the right of police to question Christenson, a motion denied by Circuit Judge James Booras.

Willding was found in the lower level of her family's tri-level home about 5 p.m. July 14, 2004. She had been stabbed more than 40 times.

Sheriff's Detective Ted Sittig said he was among detectives canvassing the Orchard Drive neighborhood where the victim and suspect lived, and said he talked to Christenson.

Sittig said he was walking with Christenson to the apartment Christenson shared with his father when Christenson began talking.

Christenson was looking away from him at the time, Sittig said. Before the detective asked a question, Christenson said "I heard a girl screaming."

Sittig said he looked at Christenson and noticed a 3- to 4-inch scratch on the top of his shaved head.

"I think he realized I was looking at it," Sittig said. "And he said 'This cut on my head doesn't have anything to do with that dead girl.' "

Other detectives talked with Christenson at the scene and found he gave conflicting statements about his whereabouts the day of the killing and the previous night, according to the testimony.

Detective Anthony Parisi also testified he noticed Christenson had what appeared to be blood on his face near his right ear.

Christenson agreed to accompany police to the sheriff's office in Waukegan for further questioning, police said, and was informed of his rights upon arrival.

Christenson was asked if he would give them the clothes he was wearing and he agreed, Detective Michael Keller said. A blood stain was found on one of his shoes -- it was tested and found to be Willding's blood.

Assistant Public Defender Keith Grant argued detectives who interacted with Christenson were aware he had mental health problems and should have taken that into account when evaluating his actions.

Christenson has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was treated at a state mental health hospital for almost a year after being found unfit for trial.

Doctors said earlier this year Christenson's fitness for trial had been restored through treatment, although Grant has indicated he may argue his client was insane at the time of the crime.

Grant said Tuesday police jumped to conclusions about Christenson's behavior when they encountered him and acted improperly by taking him in for questioning.

"He was saying strange things, he was evasive, he was looking away from people," Grant said. "Looked at in one light, that could be consciousness of guilt, but in another light it is clear evidence of mental illness."

But Booras said he could find no evidence of illegal conduct by police, and Christenson had agreed to cooperate with them in the investigation.

Christenson, who faces up to life in prison if convicted of the murder, is due in court Friday to schedule more dates in the case.