Dodge Center man sentenced in deaths A southeastern Minnesota man will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his wife and 12-year-old son, whose death struggle with his father allowed his two wounded sisters to escape with their lives.
Ismael Bugarin, 35, of Dodge Center, pleaded guilty in Dodge County District Court to first-degree premeditated murder and other charges. A judge sentenced him to life without parole.
Bugarin attacked his family on Nov. 8, 2008, because his wife, Teresa, 27, said she was leaving, according to a criminal complaint. He shot and stabbed her, then stabbed their three children. Teresa Bugarin died at the scene.
The girls -- ages 8 and 6 -- survived, authorities say, thanks to their brother. Nick wrested the knife away and stabbed his father, allowing the girls to flee. Nick also fled, but he bled to death.
PAUL WALSH
Teen pleads guilty in crash death A Stillwater teenager has pleaded guilty to two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. Austin R. Pederson, 18, pleaded guilty in St. Croix County Circuit Court. On June 1, he was speeding in Star Prairie, Wis., with marijuana in his system when he lost control of his car, according to authorities. Daishonna Payne, 17, and Alan Alwin, both of Somerset, Wis., were killed.
PAUL WALSH
St. Cloud man charged in death A 47-year-old St. Cloud man said he argued with a 43-year-old man before fatally shooting him at a gathering at a mobile home, according to charges. Leun Thongpasom, who lived in the park where the shooting occurred, was charged in Benton County District Court with second-degree murder.
The victim, Ki Nahouakhong, also of St. Cloud, was shot once in the chest shortly after midnight Sunday.
PAUL WALSH
Woman in Crosstown crash is identified An 80-year-old Minneapolis woman was the passenger killed Tuesday morning in a crash in the Crosstown Hwy. 62 construction area.
Lillie Anna Foster died at the scene of injuries from the accident, on Hwy. 121 just north of the Crosstown, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office said on Wednesday.
Foster was in a car that collided with a semitrailer truck shortly before 9 a.m. The truck, headed north on Interstate 35W, apparently had the right of way in making a turn onto Hwy. 121 at the time of the collision, said Minneapolis police Sgt. Bill Palmer.
The crash left the driver of the car in critical condition, Palmer added.
VINCE TUSS
Ex-Chaska coach charged with theft The former head football coach for Chaska High has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars through football camps that he ran on behalf of the school district. Phillip Link, 53, was charged in Carver County District Court with two counts of theft by swindle that allege he stole more than $7,600 from the district, Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler said Wednesday. Link resigned as football coach and administrative dean last month.
PAUL WALSH
