Milwaukee kidnapping trial of Timothy Olson | March 12 testimony
Milwaukee kidnapping trial of Timothy Olson: March 12 testimony
Testimony resumed Thursday in the trial of Timothy Olson, the man charged with kidnapping a 79-year-old woman at gunpoint on the day before Thanksgiving 2022.
MILWAUKEE - Testimony resumed Thursday in the trial of Timothy Olson, the man once-dubbed 'Ripoff Romeo' who is charged with kidnapping a 79-year-old woman at gunpoint on the day before Thanksgiving 2022.
Thursday testimony
What we know:
Franklin police officers and burglary victims took the stand, testifying to the search for the kidnapping suspect, where Olson is accused of breaking into, and how Olson was found.
But not before Olson was reprimanded by the judge multiple times, even before the witnesses took the stand.
Olson talked over the judge several times, as he pleaded to declare a mistrial.
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Timothy Olson in court on Thursday
The judge disagreed, but told Olson to make his pleadings in writing, and said it was her belief it was another attempt at delaying the trial, something Olson has been accused of multiple times.
The bulk of the testimony Thursday involved Franklin police officers involved in searching for Olson.
He was identified as a suspect in the kidnapping of a then-79-year-old and now-82-year-old widow in November 2022.
Olson is charged with kidnapping the woman from Casa Di Giorgio the day before Thanksgiving at gunpoint, driving around the south metro using her credit cards, and burglary shortly before his arrest.
What they're saying:
"Did you see the other officer tase Mr. Olson when he was already on the ground?" asked Olson.
"I did see you get tasted," replied Franklin Police Officer David Crissey, who was on the stand.
"The bicycle that Mr. Olson was pushing, when I located him, was reported taken from the garage of the first residence. Mr. Olson, at the time of his arrest, also had several items of property, including a pocket knife and some bottles of shampoo," said Franklin Police Officer Gabriel Frusti.
The judge excused the jury early for the day, after Olson continued to raise issues, claiming he was not able to access evidence in the case.
Testimony will resume Friday morning (March 13).
Full coverage of Thursday's testimony
What we know:
Wednesday's testimony
What they're saying:
It was another day of what Judge Kristy Yang called "shenanigans" from Olson. It could not keep the victim from taking the stand.
The victim, now an 82-year-old widow, crept to the witness stand with a walker. She described how an innocent stop for a glass of wine led to "the worst day of my life" – one that still haunts her more than three years later.
As the victim told her story, Olson began gasping for breath in the courtroom. The judge said it was "another attempt" to delay the trial.
"Time and time again, doctor after doctor, have cleared you. And this trial will go," Yang said.
Timothy Olson in court on March 11, 2026.
Complete coverage
Dig deeper:
FOX6 News plans to stream much of the Olson trial.
- Timothy Olson trial: Kidnapping victim testifies despite 'shenanigans' from man accused
- Milwaukee kidnapping trial of Timothy Olson; opening statements shared
- Milwaukee kidnapping trial, 'Ripoff Romeo' competent to proceed
The Source: FOX6 News is in court for the trial and referenced information from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, Wisconsin Circuit Court and prior coverage.