19 Year Murder Suspect Makes First Court Appearance; Michael Anderson Shot 36 Year Old Stephen Starr Three Times, Stabbed Him Repeatedly, And Mutilated His Body; Says Starr Made Sexual Advances On Him After He “Turned Straight Again”

19 year old Michael Anderson is accused of killing 36 year old Stephen Starr, in what Catawba County, North Carolina police are calling a gruesome crime scene, reports the Hickory Daily Record, in a case that is as strange as it is sad. According to police, Anderson shot Star with both a pistol and shot gun, before stabbing him repeatedly, and hitting him with an axe. Investigators say Starr’s body had a word carved into it, as well as something written on him in ink. He appeared in court Wednesday morning, for a little less than three minutes, and said little other than to ask for a court-appointed attorney. District Court Judge Robert Mullinax Jr. reminded Anderson that the murder charge he faces carries with it a maximum sentence of death. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for March 9th. According to a 911 call placed by Anderson at approximately 4:45 am Monday, February 14th, the 19 year old said he had overdosed on cough medicine and murdered Starr before mutilating his body. While making the call, Anderson was in the room next to Starr’s body, holding one of the guns used. He said he killed Starr because he made sexual advances on him after Anderson had “turned straight again.” Anderson said he waited until Starr was asleep, then shot him three times, and mutilated his body. There are conflicting reports about the nature of the relationship between the two men – Starr reportedly told neighbours that the 19 year old was his son; Anderson reportedly told the 911 operator that the two had met weeks before at an area gay club where he had come to experiment. Anderson is being held without bond.