An Ogema woman who is accused of killing her boyfriend appeared Tuesday in Becker County District Court.
Jessica Marie Kilde, 33, of 46420 Highway 34, Ogema, is facing felony charges of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of 41-year-old Richard Allen Baity, also of rural Ogema.
Her attorney, Nathan Welty, waived the right to a speedy omnibus hearing during Tuesday’s proceedings, and requested that it be set for “at least” six weeks from now.
Judge Joseph Evans agreed to the request, and a date of Oct. 27 was set for Kilde’s next court appearance.
The charges against Kilde stem from an Aug. 15 incident in Maple Grove Township. Baity’s body was found lying about 160 feet from his driveway, at 33322 370th St., around 10:30 p.m.
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There were ligature marks on Baity’s neck, and part of a broken strap was found nearby, according to the criminal complaint filed in Becker County District Court.
The rest of the yellow ratchet tie-down strap was found attached to a Ford Sport Trac vehicle that Kilde had been observed driving. Drag marks could be seen running from Baity’s driveway out into the street, indicating that he had been dragged down the driveway, the complaint states.
Court records show that Kilde has a history of criminal offenses, with the most recent being a felony charge of motor vehicle theft that was filed in Aitkin County back in March.
Kilde was taken back into custody at the Becker County Jail following Tuesday’s proceedings. Her bail has been set at $1 million without conditions, or $750,000 with conditions.
Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes .
