(Jackson, Mn.)– A rural Lakefield, Minnesota woman was sentenced this (Monday) afternoon in Jackson County District Court in the shooting death of a Spirit Lake man.
Suzanne McNulty was sentenced to 15 years…or 180 months…at the women’s prison in Shakopee, Minnesota for the shooting death of 34-year-old Ervin Berg of Spirit Lake. McNulty must serve atleast 2/3 of the sentence in prison and the remaining 1/3 on supervised release. She could serve the entire 15 years in prison if she fails to earn credit for good behavior.
McNulty was also ordered to pay 7,500-dollars in restitution to Berg’s family through the Minnesota Crime Victim’s Reparations Board.
Jackson County Attorney Robert O’Connor says the sentencing was an upward duration departure from the sentencing guidelines of 150 months. O’Connor says the departure was agreed to by the parties as part of a plea agreement.
The court found substantial and compelling reasons for the departure based upon McNulty failing to promptly seek help for Berg. The medical examiner, Doctor Kelly Mills of the Ramsey County Coroner’s Office, submitted an affidavit stating that if help was sought in a timely manner, Berg may have had a chance to survive the wound.
McNulty was holding a 12 gauge shotgun when it went off striking Berg in the throat. He died rapidly from a loss of blood.
McNulty and Berg had been in a relationship for several months.
The incident took place at a homestead in Hunter Township in Jackson county…south of Lakefield. The owner had allowed McNulty to stay there while he was away driving truck. He discovered Berg’s body when he returned and called authorities.
Nine victim impact statements were read into the record during this (Monday) afternoon’s sentencing explaining how the crime impacted Berg’s friends and family. Photos were displayed of Berg fishing, horseback riding and flying a small plane. Ervin’s sister, mother and father’s statements were read last.
About 40 friends and family members attended this (Monday) afternoon’s sentencing at the Jackson county courthouse.
