Man on trial for murder signals to daughter in Wisconsin courtroom

At the trial of Zachariah Anderson, who stands accused of brutally murdering Rosalio Gutierrez Jr., a dramatic moment unfolded in a Wisconsin courtroom. Anderson appeared to put his hand to his mouth and signal for his 15-year-old daughter to stop testifying against him.

The prosecution alleges that Anderson was attempting to silence her, while the defense asserts that Sadie Beacham, the victim’s partner and Anderson’s former girlfriend, was using sign language to communicate with the daughter.

In another courtroom disturbance, a man who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol entered the proceedings, but was quickly removed by two deputies.

Anderson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, and stalking. Prosecutors contend that Anderson was jealous of Gutierrez and stalked him before brutally killing him with blunt force and disposing of his body.

Gutierrez had been dating Anderson’s former girlfriend, with whom he shares children. Two days after Gutierrez’s disappearance, Beacham reported him missing, and investigators discovered a significant amount of blood in his apartment. Although Gutierrez’s body has never been found, investigators believe he is dead.

During the trial, Anderson’s daughter testified about her father’s behavior leading up to Gutierrez’s death, including spying on the victim and Beacham and recording Beacham’s emotional outbursts. She also testified that her father took her to spy on the couple and planned to follow Gutierrez, whom he referred to using a racial slur.

If found guilty, Anderson faces a life sentence in prison.