By: News Director Larissa Donovan
BEMIDJI–A Ponemah man has pleaded guilty to the second degree murder of his wife.
According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 39-year-old Jeremiah Kingbird and his wife were driving to their home in Ponemah in early January after a night of drinking and began to argue.
While driving, Kingbird struck the victim’s head and strangled her, then left her on the road near Highway 1 and Old Ponemah Road in Redby.
Law enforcement found her hours later, lying face down in the snow with severe injuries to her head and neck and was having difficulties breathing.
She was transported to Red Lake IHS Hospital but died.
October is domestic violence awareness month, and U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald says domestic violence is one of the biggest challenges facing tribal communities and that American Indian women in particular experience this type of violence at a disproportionately high rate.
Kingbird was indicted in February, and a sentencing date was not immediately available.
