(Estherville)– An Emmet county jury late this (Tues.) afternoon found CeJay Van Der Wilt guilty of a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in the October 2021 death of David McDowell. Van Der Wilt was charged with first degree murder in the case. The jury’s verdict came after about two hours of deliberation.
Jurors also found a key witness called by the prosecution, Brady Salberg, also played a role in McDowell’s death and that his testimony, as well as that presented by Connor Uhde, a co-defendant, differed from evidence that was presented during the trial.
December 6th has been set as the date to hear post trial motions and sentencing.
