He murdered her by dropping a 700 pound totem pole on her?
I would like to thank Bent Paddle Brewing, the Little Falls Library and the Brainerd Service League for another great weekend of selling books. If you haven’t been to Big Sip and Shop event at Maddens on Gull Lake you’ll have to check it out next Christmas. Morey’s and Cub give away samples, and lots of great jewelry, arts and crafts. This event is sponsored by the Brainerd Service League and raises money to help women and children in the Brainerd lakes area. The old, “I murdered her by dropping a 700 pound totem pole on her,” story. Or “Poor old Kawliga.” While crafting a totem pole together, Carl Muggli and his wife, Linda Diane Strandberg Muggli, got into a heated argument over Carl’s internet romance with and Alabama woman. Muggli claims he raised a 5 foot cant hook (used for prying logs) in a threatening motion toward his wife, and she fell back in fear, knocking a 17 foot, 700 pound totem pole over on top of her, causing her death. The 17-foot murder weapon (totem pole) was to be trucked to the courthouse, and after a second-floor window was removed, the plan was to use a crane to get the 700-plus pound pole up and through the window space, where it would be on display throughout the trial. Carl Muggli, age 51, pled guilty to unintentional 2nd Degree murder. The Dothan, Alabama woman, Margaret Gonzalez, 58, she reported she’s ashamed of her actions in the romance. She initially met Muggli when she contacted him about purchasing a totem pole. They sexted pictures to each other, and began a sexual relationship after Linda’s death. Margaret said she hear Carl arguing with his wife about divorce on the day of her death. Carl called her a half hour later and said Linda was dead. Margaret stated she wasn’t aware of Carl’s involvement in Linda’s death until he pled guilty. Linda Muggli, 61, died of severe head trauma on November 26, 2010. Koochiching County Attorney Jeffrey Naglosky said Muggli matter-of-factly stated at the plea hearing that he did nothing to help his wife, even though he could have. Carl Muggli was arrested in Texas, where he and Linda spent their winters and where he hunted wild boars. (A cant hook is pictured below.) The next three paragraphs, taken from the Duluth Tribune, suggest that at least a couple of people in the area didn’t think real highly of Carl Muggli: People in the area said they were glad to see the case resolved. Malcolm McAuley, owner of the Woodland Inn restaurant in Ray, said, "She's dead and it's not right. I don't know what the outcome will be, but when you kill somebody, the consequences ... I hope he gets the max." Bob Neuenschwander, owner of Border Bob's in International Falls, knew the Mugglis for more than 20 years. Neuenschwander employed Carl Muggli when he was in his 20s as a resort worker, and later in a taxidermy business. "She (Linda) was really the best thing that ever happened to him," he said. "It's just so ironic to see somebody given a chance like that in life, and has a really wonderful person who tries to turn them around and ends up losing their life as a result of it. There is an injustice in that that is hard to reconcile." Neuenschwander said the guilty plea, even to a reduced charge, "is probably the most honorable thing he's ever done in his life and maybe the only honorable thing. I never doubted that he was guilty." Koochiching County Sheriff Brian Jespersen said Muggli's version of events didn't square with the results of an investigation done by his office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The Sheriff said he doesn't believe that it was an accident. "We did get some justice for Linda; she didn't deserve to die. She was a very nice person. You start talking with family and friends and you learn that she was just a very good person all around. It could have been a divorce, or just get up and leave. Carl met up with an Internet relationship and Linda ended up dying over it. To cause someone's death over another woman ... it just got out of control." I feel bad for Linda. As I tell people who struggle, “No situation is so bad that you can’t make it worse.” Carl did. This is why we need to be particularly careful of the choices made when struggling. At least Paul Simon had the wisdom to walk away—in the song below. Thanks for listening, Frank
4 Comments
|
AuthorFrank F. Weber is a forensic psychologist specializing in homicide and sexual and physical assault cases. He uses his unique understanding of how predator’s think, knowledge of victim trauma, actual court cases, and passion for writing true crime thrillers. His Award Winning books include "Murder Book" (2017) "The I-94 Murders" (2018) "Last Call" (2019) and "Lying Close" (September 2020). Archives
April 2024
Categories |