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Man sentenced in totem pole death

Photo: Stockbyte, Photos.com

Feb 5, 2013 at 9:49 am

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. (AP) A northern Minnesota man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in the death of his wife who was crushed by a totem pole.

Carl Muggli faced a possible life sentence if he had been convicted of first-degree murder. But, he pleaded guilty to unintentional second-degree murder of his wife, Linda, in an agreement with prosecutors. The 51-year-old Muggli admitted he was arguing with his wife about his Internet romance just before she was pinned under the totem pole the two were carving at their home in Ray.

Prosecutors say Muggli did nothing to help his wife as she was dying. Muggli declined to say anything before he was sentenced in Koochiching County District Court Monday.