Chanhassen man indicted in sister’s murder

A Carver County grand jury has indicted a Chanhassen man over the murder of his sister.

Joseph Thomas Ness is charged with first-degree murder. He was already charged with second-degree murder back in May.

According to the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a fire alarm at around 2:20 p.m. Saturday in the 3700 block of Landings Drive and were alerted shortly after that a shooting had been reported at the same address. Shortly after 3 p.m., a nearby homeowner reported that a man had walked onto her property and said he’d killed his sister and wanted to surrender.

Deputies responded and took the man, identified as Ness, into custody.

Deputies then entered the home they were initially called to and found hundreds of spent rifle casings, bullet holes in walls and windows shattered by gunfire, according to a criminal complaint. Deputies also noted it appeared Ness had shot into his sister’s room from across a hallway. A total of 12 spent casings were found near her bed.

Noelle Ness, 25, was found dead in her bedroom with 18 gunshot wounds.

While executing a search warrant, authorities found six rifles — including AR-15s and AK-47s — ammunition and high-capacity drum magazines, according to the complaint.

His next public hearing is set for Oct. 6.