Milwaukee kidnapping trial of Timothy Olson | March 13 testimony recap
Milwaukee kidnapping trial of Timothy Olson Friday testimony
Testimony resumed Friday 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. The trial proceedings culminated with Olson taking the stand in his own defense.
MILWAUKEE - Testimony resumed Friday 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.
Friday's court proceedings
What we know:
Olson is accused of kidnapping and holding a 79-year-old woman hostage in 2022, essentially driving around the south metro in her car using her credit cards. And then he is accused of later burglarizing a garage and an RV.
This trial started just this week. It took years to get here. And even then, there were multiple delays throughout the trial, including today. He was chastised by the judge throughout the week for not following courtroom rules. Twice today (Friday), at least, he was removed from the courtroom, at one point being called to a "time-out."
Eventually, testimony wrapped up with the lead detective in the case, as well as two state crime lab analysts, testifying to fingerprint and DNA analysis, and then Olson decided he wanted to take the stand, but that also led to several breaks in court with Olson continuing to argue for a mistrial to which the judge denied his motion, a motion that he finally did put down pen to paper and filed with the court.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
And then the judge cautioned Olsen about the rules when he was to take this stand.
"During the course of your testimony, if I give you more than one warning for failing to follow the court's rules relative to your testimony, you will forfeit your right to testify. I will then end your testimony and then the trial will proceed. Do you understand that?" asked Judge Kristy Yang.
"No, I object to that completely," replied Olson.
"You get one warning after that. If I have to warn you again, that means that your testimony will be ending and has to end, and then we'll just simply proceed from there," added Judge Yang.
It's important to note that Olson is representing himself at trial. He does have an attorney sitting next to him, but that attorney really can't do much for Olson because he's an attorney that was appointed by the court at his request, but it's also an attorney Olson had previously fired.
Now, when Olson was on the witness stand today, he spent much of that time rambling, and the court even went longer, beyond 5 p.m. when the courthouse normally closes. It went until 5:30 p.m.
Court will resume with the trial on a Saturday morning.
Full coverage of Friday's testimony
Below you can watch full coverage of Friday morning's testimony.
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.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
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.
Timothy Olson in court on March 13, 2026.
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.
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.
Complete coverage
FOX6 News plans to stream much of the Olson trial.
- Timothy Olson trial: Police officers and burglary victims took the stand
- 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
Full coverage of Thursday's testimony
Below you can watch full coverage of Thursday's testimony.
Full coverage of Wednesday's testimony
Below you can watch full coverage of Wednesday's testimony.
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.