Old grudge cited in S. Dak. slaying

MADISON, S.D.

- An old grudge that spanned more than a half-century may have led a 73-year-old man to fatally shoot his long-ago classmate at his South Dakota home.

Carl V. Ericsson, of Watertown, was denied bond yesterday during his first court appearance on a first-degree murder charge. The former high-school sports star is accused of shooting retired Madison High School teacher and track coach Norman Johnson, 72, after Johnson answered the door at his house Tuesday evening in Madison.

Ericsson's brother, Dick Ericsson, of Madison, said in the affidavit that his brother suffers from depression and alcoholism, and the two last talked about six months ago. He said that his brother was a sports manager at Madison High years ago and "there was an incident where Norm Johnson did something to Carl."

"Since that time, over 50 years ago, Carl has held a grudge against Norm Johnson," a court affidavit said. "Dick said that he brought up the name of Norm Johnson some time back and Carl was still upset about the situation and called Norm Johnson a son of a bitch."

Shortly after the shooting, Johnson's wife, Barbara, found him lying on the floor and saw a man walking to a dark sedan parked outside.

Johnson died of two gunshot wounds to the face.

Carl Ericsson, bearded and with gray hair, walked slowly into the courtroom yesterday afternoon.

Scott Bratland, his attorney, said that his client has been married to his wife, Deanna, for more than 44 years, is a North Dakota State University graduate and recently retired from a 25-year insurance career.

The judge denied a request to have Ericsson's bond set at $100,000, saying that he was a potential flight or suicide risk.

The slaying was apparently the first one since 1906 in Madison, a city of 6,500 people in eastern South Dakota.

Investigators said that soon after Johnson was shot, a man matching the suspect's description was seen trying to enter the home of another retired Madison High teacher and coach, Orlyn Larson. Officers collected two flashlights and photographed tire and shoe impressions outside the house. A resident then reported seeing a man a quarter-mile away outside Dick Ericsson's home.

When investigators interviewed Carl Ericsson on Wednesday at his Watertown home, they reported seeing items that piqued their interest - including two flashlights similar to those seized outside Larson's house and a Glock handgun. With Ericsson's permission, officers looked at his Ford Taurus and noted that the tire treads appeared consistent with tracks left at two of the Madison homes.

During an interview at the Watertown Police station, Ericsson acknowledged being in Madison on Tuesday and having the handgun with him, but denied remembering Johnson or going to his house, according to the affidavit.

"Carl stated that if he was going to shoot anybody, it would have been his brother," the affidavit said.

Officers eventually searched Erissson's home and recovered a .45-caliber Colt Long Uberti firearm and several .45-caliber shell casings.