Crime & Safety

VIDEO - Defense Attorney: Apple Valley Murder Victim's Family 'Shocked' by Charges Against Husband

In the video below, defense attorneys representing Roger Earl Holland described the Apple Valley couple as happy, having a bright future. Holland was charged Monday with second-degree intentional murder in the death of his pregnant wife.

Defense Attorneys Marsh Halberg and Eric Nelson of Halberg Criminal Defense, representing murder suspect Roger Earl Holland of Apple Valley, spoke to reporters Monday minutes before a press conference held by the Dakota County Attorney.

Roger Earl Holland, 36, was charged with two counts of intentional second-degree murder this morning, in the March 7 .

The Dakota County Attorney's Office criminal complaint alleges that Roger Holland strangled his wife to death, then staged the scene to make it appear she had fallen down the stairs.

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The defense attorneys described the Apple Valley couple as "happy" and having a "bright future." The two met in the military and moved to Apple Valley in November after a tour in Africa. They had planned to move back to Texas, where they were from, in the next few weeks. Margorie was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

Bail was set at $1 million Monday morning. Nelson said he can't speak for Margorie's family, but from their attendance at the hearings this morning, "all reports are" that her family is "shocked" by the allegations against Roger.

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Both attorneys declined to comment on the facts of the case.

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