Walk Away or Your Family Dies” — Defense Lawyer in Wisconsin Receives Death Threats Over High-Profile Murder Case
A chilling wave of intimidation has swept through Wisconsin’s legal community after a defense attorney representing a high-profile murder suspect received multiple death threats aimed at coercing him into abandoning the case. The threats included the harrowing message: “Walk away or your family dies.”
The lawyer at the center of this firestorm is Anthony Cotton, a respected criminal defense attorney with a history of handling tough and controversial cases. He is currently representing Maxwell Anderson, the man accused of killing 19-year-old Sade Robinson, a Milwaukee woman who vanished after going on a first date with Anderson. Robinson’s dismembered remains were discovered in multiple locations in early April, sparking widespread outrage and heartbreak throughout the state and beyond.
The Crime and the Accusation
According to law enforcement, Robinson met with Anderson on what was supposed to be a casual evening out. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the two dining together at a seafood restaurant before heading to Anderson’s apartment. That was the last time Robinson was seen alive.
In the following days, a disturbing trail of evidence began to surface. Investigators uncovered body parts later confirmed to be Robinson’s, scattered across multiple areas in the Milwaukee region. The gruesome nature of the crime shocked the community and ignited a massive manhunt that eventually led to Anderson’s arrest. He now faces charges including first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson.
Targeting the Defense
As public emotions run high, the backlash has taken a dangerous turn. Anthony Cotton, Anderson’s court-appointed attorney, revealed that he and his family have been targeted with explicit threats designed to intimidate him into withdrawing from the case. One message read ominously: “If you continue to represent this monster, your family will pay the price.”
Cotton has responded firmly to the threats, saying:
“These threats are unacceptable—not just because they put my family at risk, but because they strike at the heart of our legal system. Every accused person in this country is entitled to legal representation. That is not just a tradition—it is a constitutional right.”
He added that walking away from the case due to intimidation would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the integrity of the justice system.
A Deepening Divide
The case has sparked passionate debate on social media and in legal circles. While many express understandable grief and anger over Robinson’s brutal killing, others are deeply concerned by the attacks on Cotton. Legal experts warn that threatening defense attorneys compromises not only individual safety but the very framework of due process.
Civil liberties organizations and legal watchdog groups have issued statements condemning the threats. The Wisconsin State Bar Association emphasized that “defense attorneys are essential to the fair and impartial administration of justice,” and that such intimidation “is a direct threat to the rule of law.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have confirmed that the threats against Cotton are being taken seriously and are under investigation. Law enforcement has not disclosed whether they have identified the source of the threats, but extra security measures have reportedly been put in place for Cotton and his family.
Meanwhile, the case against Maxwell Anderson proceeds through the court system. Prosecutors are expected to push for a life sentence without parole if he is convicted, citing the brutality of the crime. Anderson has pleaded not guilty, and a trial date is expected to be set later this year.
A System Under Pressure
This disturbing development shines a light on the growing pressure and hostility facing defense lawyers in high-profile cases, especially those involving gruesome crimes and vulnerable victims. While the public’s pain and anger are valid, experts caution that allowing those emotions to turn into violence or threats against legal professionals erodes the foundational principles of American justice.
Anthony Cotton’s stance has been praised by many of his peers, who see it as a courageous affirmation of the role defense attorneys must play—even when the public sentiment is overwhelmingly against them.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a grim reminder not only of the horrific loss of a young life but also of the fragile balance between justice and vengeance in the court of public opinion.