Posted at: 03/05/2010 5:04 PM | KSAX.com
By: Megan Matthews

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Murder Trial Underway Five Years After Woman Found Shot in Home

GLENWOOD, Minn. - Andrew Lemcke's jury trial is underway at the Pope County Courthouse, five years after the shooting death of his wife, Nicole Lemcke.

Nicole Lemcke died from a gunshot wound on September 12, 2004.  The death was once considered a suicide and is now considered a homicide. 

Andrew Lemcke is facing first and second degree murder charges in Pope County Court.  Lemcke and a few members of his family sat in court Friday as the defense called witnesses to the stand.

A 14-person jury sat and listened, taking notes, as the the long-awaited murder trial continued more than a year after Lemcke was indicted.

Former KSAX Eyewitness News reporter A.J. Hilton sat down with Nicole's parent's, Gary and Kim Riley, back in September, 2006, which was just one year after Nicole's death.

"Even today it's like it happened yesterday..." Gary Riley said in the interview.

Nicole died after shots were fired in her and her husband's home in Appleton, Minn.  Lemcke previously claimed his wife shot herself, but Nicole's family thinks she was shot by her husband.

"I don't have any more answers today than I did on day one," Riley said.

Now Gary and Kim Riley are closer to getting their answers. 

Lemcke pled not guilty to both murder counts.  The defense is arguing the shooting was accidental, according to the court file.

Prosecutors are alleging that Lemcke was upset with his wife, because she was leaving him.

Lemcke is free after posting a $10,000 bail after the 2008 indictment.  He was in court Friday along with some members of his family.

Lemcke's sister-in-law Krista Lemcke took the stand Friday morning.  She described the last time she saw Nicole, which was just a month before she died.

Krista also said Nicole talked about being threatened by her "ex," and Nicole and Andrew bought the handgun for protection.

The trial could wrap up as soon as next week, according to court documents.

Written for the web by Megan Matthews

megan@ksax.com