Marriage Woes, Alcohol Led To Crystal Wife's Murder: Charges

CRYSTAL, MN — A Crystal man charged with killing his wife was facing marriage trouble in the time leading up to the fatal shooting, according to police. Family members told authorities that there had been trouble in the defendant's marriage recently and that there was a lot of fighting.

Family also said the defendant had possibly been violent with his wife before allegedly killing her July 12.

Dennis Sandland, 56, was charged in a murder in the couple’s home on the 4800 block of Yates Ave. N. According to the criminal complaint, Sandland called his son about 6:30 p.m. that night to inform him that he shot his mother.

Crystal police were sent to the house, but he refused to surrender and a hostage negotiator eventually talked him out of the house, according to authorities. Police administered an initial test and his reported BAC was .094 on the day of the alleged murder.

When police entered the house, they found Sandra Sandland dead from a gunshot wound to the head and a gun lying on the bed near her.

While at hospital, he made several unprompted statements, which officers heard, saying he was angry with his wife so he shot her in the head, according to police.

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