Famous Trials: Eugene Thompson Murder Trial

Thursday, November 13, 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Pioneer Bank, 1450 Adams St, Mankato

On March 6, 1963, Mrs. Harry Nelson was in her kitchen in St. Paul. At 9:00 a.m. the doorbell rang. Nelson answered the door to see a woman covered in blood and in a bathrobe holding her throat. So began the most famous murder trial is St. Paul and possibly Minnesota. The woman was Carol Thompson, married to prominent St. Paul attorney T. Eugene Thompson. The investigation led to a conspiracy on the part of T. Eugene to arrange for the murder of Carol. This presentation discusses the investigation and trial of Thompson.

Presenter: James Fleming practiced law in Minnesota for 35 years before his recent retirement, 22 of those years as a public defender. He served as the chief public defender for the 15 counties of the Fifth Judicial District in southwest Minnesota, based in Mankato, and later for the Second Judicial District (Ramsey County).

Sponsor: Larry Nicol