Antonio St. Marie was found guilty of murdering hi wife Margaret in their Wadena apartment.
Antonio St. Marie was found guilty of murdering hi wife Margaret in their Wadena apartment.
St. Marie found guilty of murder
by Trinity Gruenberg
Antonio St. Marie was found guilty on seven charges on January 19, in the murder of his wife Margaret.
According to court documents, the trial began on January 8. St. Marie was found guilty by a jury on the charges of murder in the first degree-premeditated, murder in the first degree-while committing kidnapping, murder in the first degree-while committing domestic abuse, murder in the second degree-intentional, murder in the second degree-while restrained by domestic abuse no contact order, kidnapping of James Flath Jr., and possession of a pistol by a prohibited person.
He was acquitted of two murder in the first degree charges with intent and while committing a felony. Deliberation began at 10:38 a.m. on January 19. The trial ended at 8:17 p.m. that night.
On November 7, 2016, St. Marie was released from prison after serving a sentence for domestic assault. He was not to have contact with Margaret and was not to possess any firearms.
He went to the apartment he once shared with Margaret and held her, their young son and her brother James Flath, Jr. at gunpoint.
Flath was able to escape with his nephew. His mother and St. Marie’s mother reported the incident to the authorities.
Law enforcement arrived and saw St. Marie run to his vehicle. Police pursued him down Highway 29 where he collided with a truck traveling in the opposite direction. He was flown to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities discovered Margaret in the apartment dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Sentencing will be held on March 22 at 1 p.m.