More than one year after his wife’s death, suspect Carl Muggli appeared in court last week to discuss challenges to pretrial issues.
An omnibus hearing for the case began Thursday in Koochiching County District Court. An omnibus hearing allows for a review of evidence and the investigation into the case to consider if it should proceed.
Muggli was charged with second-degree murder after he was arrested June 7 in Texas in connection with the Nov. 26, 2010, death of his wife, Linda.
He has not yet entered a plea to the charge.
A teleconference is set for 1 p.m. Dec. 14 to further consider whether the defense has additional challenges.
Muggli appeared in court Thursday with his attorney, Charles Hawkins, of Minneapolis.
Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Alfred Zdrazil is assisting Koochiching County Attorney Jeff Naglosky in the prosecution of Muggli.
After more than two hours of discussions in the judge’s chambers, consideration of evidence gathered by law officers began with testimony provided by staff with the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Naglosky declined comment on the hearing. Hawkins did not return a phone call for comment from The Journal.
At an earlier hearing, Hawkins indicated he would challenge probable cause in the case as well as to seek motions to dismiss statements made by Muggli and others, and search warrants executed in Texas and at Muggli’s residence in Ray.
Carl and Linda Muggli, married 24 years, were apparently carving a totem pole on their 20-acre property near Ray when she was injured by the totem pole. She was taken to the International Falls hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to the complaint.
Muggli was released on bail June 24 on conditions.
