Hearing on contested evidence in Muggli case scheduled for Dec. 1

Muggli has not yet entered a plea to the charge.

In a separate matter Thursday, Koochiching County District Court Judge Charles LeDuc continued a temporary restraining order in a civil case against Muggli, who is accused of entering the property where Linda Muggli’s death occurred.

The property has since been sold to new owners who claim that, despite telling Muggli he is not welcome on the property, Muggli has visited, which the owners say has been documented on surveillance camera.

Meanwhile, Muggli appeared in court Thursday with his attorney, Charles Hawkins, of Minneapolis, on both cases.

Hawkins told the judge that he will be challenging probable cause in the murder case, as well as seek motions to dismiss statements made by Muggli and others, and search warrants executed in Texas and at the Ray residence.

An omnibus hearing allows for a review of evidence and the investigation into the case to consider if it should proceed.

“There are issues,” said Hawkins.

“Sounds like a lot of them,” replied LeDuc.

Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Alfred Zdrazil is assisting Koochiching County Attorney Jeff Naglosky in the prosecution of Muggli.

Zdrazil said he had not been made aware of the issues and Hawkins said he would outline the issues and provide them to Zdrazil by Oct. 15.

Because of the delay in scheduling the continued hearing, LeDuc reminded, and it was documented on the record, that Muggli has waived his right to a speedy trial.

“We’ve become bogged down, obviously, by the complexities of the case,” said LeDuc.

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 under an agreement that allowed him to pledge a property bond for a parcel of Ray property he sold for $165,000 on contract for deed with an outstanding mortgage balance of about $80,000. Muggli posted an additional unsecured appearance bond in the amount of $500,000. Under the terms of the agreement, he was released to the custody of his sister, Helen Wallander, of the Falls, and must wear a GPS monitor.

In the unrelated civil case, LeDuc said a hearing to “clarify what this all means” will take place following the resolution of the criminal case, unless Muggli demands a hearing earlier.

The owners of Muggli’s former property said Linda’s death was described as an accident when they purchased the property.

Now, they said they have no reason to have contact with Muggli.

One of the owners said that the last visit by Muggli was to show a friend the flower garden on the property.

They noted that their children are afraid to stay at the house because of Muggli’s visits to the property.