Waterloo, N.Y.—Arm and leg shackles made the walk into court a slow one for Karl Karlsen. The Seneca County man is accused of killing his son, Levi in 2008 and making the death look like an auto repair accident. He was arraigned Monday, though a not guilty plea was entered by the judge on Karlsen’s behalf because he did not have an attorney.
In court, Karlsen said he had applied for a public defender but was denied because of property he owned. Karlsen will return to court December 17th with counsel.
The former wife of Levi Karlsen was present for the arraignment, but declined to speak with reporters.
Also present was the mother of Karlsen’s former wife, Christina. In 1991, Christina died in a fire at the couple’s California home.
Christina's father recently told an ABC affiliate in Sacramento that Karlsen collected $200,000 in insurance money before moving back to Seneca County.
“I need to be here because I need that closure and Chrissy would want me to be here not only for her, for her son,” said Arlene Meltzer, mother of Christina.
Following the arraignment, Karlsen was returned to jail where he was ordered to be held without bail.
