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Minnesota man pleads guilty in mother's machete death

Photo: Comstock, Photos.com

Jun 26, 2012 at 7:07 am

FERGUS FALLS, MN (AP) - A western Minnesota man has pleaded guilty in a machete attack that killed his 68-year-old mother.

James Howard of Dalton pleaded guilty Friday in Otter Tail County court to second-degree murder. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors will drop a first-degree murder charge.

KBRF-AM (http://bit.ly/r11BGJ) reports Dalton agreed to serve more than 34 years in prison and pay restitution of more than $45,000. The prison sentence exceeds state sentencing guidelines because of aggravating factors.

Howard was charged with attacking his mother, Barbara Howard, with a machete in April 2011. She died two weeks later.

James Howard told paramedics he intended to kill his mother to end her suffering from cancer and diabetes.

A judge found him competent to stand trial. Sentencing is set for August.