Man found not-guilty of murder, now in jail for selling heroin

Mitrel Anderson faced a dozen
criminal charges since murder trial

Since being acquitted of homicide in 2014, Mitrel Anderson has faced a dozen criminal charges.

Monday was the 28-year-old La Crosse man’s latest, arrested for selling 2.2 grams of heroin to, what ended up being, a police informant.

Anderson, who served 18 months in prison waiting for his murder trial, could face up to 18.5 years for selling heroin. He’s in jail on a $2,000 bond.

Two years ago, a jury found Anderson not-guilty of murder, as he claimed the stabbing of DeMario Lee in the head with a ‘blunt-faced object’ at the Cass Street Kwik Trip bathroom was self defense.

Anderson told the jury he was ambushed by Lee and Co.

Arguments against Anderson were that Lee, a 24-year-old from Illinois, was leaving the bathroom and that deadly force was unjustified.

Back in November, Anderson was arrested for threatening to kill his father, though no charges were filed. A few days before the arrest, his dad told him to leave the house and Anderson said he’s going to have “his guys” come take care of him.

Anderson then circled the block numerous times in his black Chevy Tahoe as dad called police.

Nearly a year ago to the day, Anderson was arrested for drunk driving that cost him his license. A week ago, he was arrested for driving without a license. He was arrested for that last December, as well, and also for lying to police about his real name.