Woden man convicted of second-degree murder wants new trial

GARNER — A Woden man convicted of second-degree murder in the death of his wife has filed a motion for a new trial.

57-year-old Roger Crews Junior was accused of murdering his wife Karen on October 27th of last year. Authorities found Karen Crews dead after responding to a call for a welfare check at their home on the morning of October 28th. A criminal complaint stated that Roger Crews was the one who made that call to authorities. Crews was arrested later that night in Freeborn County Minnesota.

Crews was charged with first-degree murder, but a jury earlier this month found him guilty of the lesser charge of second-degree murder, a Class B forcible felony which carries a 50-year prison term.

Crews’ attorney J. Keith Rigg last week filed a motion for a new trial and motion in arrest of judgment, stating that portions of his interviews with law enforcement should not have been allowed to be introduced as evidence.

Neither a date for a hearing on the motion nor a date for Crews to be sentenced has been set according to court records.