A grand jury indicted a 23-year-old man on a charge of first-degree murder Monday in the death of Brittany Clardy, an 18-year-old St. Paul woman whose body was found in a car in a Columbia Heights impound lot.
Alberto Palmer had previously been charged in Anoka County with second-degree murder. He is accused of striking Clardy multiple times in the head with a hammer on Feb. 11 after the two met through an online escort ad, according to court records. The killing allegedly took place in a Brooklyn Park home after the two had sex, according to court records. Clardy's body was found Feb. 19 in the impound lot.
Palmer was arrested March 6. Bail remains at $2 million. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 27.
Palmer has several outstanding felony warrants on assault and kidnapping in Georgia. "This was a horrible crime and we feel the evidence supports a first-degree murder charge," said Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo.
Friends and family of Clardy are holding a carnival celebration/fundraiser in remembrance of Clardy on May 18 at North Dale Recreation Center in St. Paul.
Paul Levy
