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EmailMinn. Man Pleads Guilty in Mother's Machete Death
A western Minnesota man has pleaded guilty in a machete attack that killed his 68-year-old mother.
James Howard of Dalton pleaded guilty Friday in Otter Tail County court to second-degree murder. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors will drop a first-degree murder charge.
KBRF-AM reports Dalton agreed to serve more than 34 years in prison and pay restitution of more than $45,000.
The prison sentence exceeds state sentencing guidelines because of aggravating factors.
Howard was charged with attacking his mother, Barbara Howard, with a machete in April 2011. She died two weeks later.
James Howard told paramedics he intended to kill his mother to end her suffering from cancer and diabetes.
A judge found him competent to stand trial. Sentencing is set for August.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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