The Minnesota Supreme Court has overturned the murder and kidnapping convictions of a former probation officer accused of involvement in the 2019 death of Minneapolis real estate agent Monique Baugh.
Elsa Segura was initially sentenced to life in prison without parole for her role in the murder, but due to insufficient evidence and a misdirected jury, she is now entitled to a new trial, the Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors argued that Segura lured Bo to a fake home show, leading to the slaying on New Year's Eve 2019. Bo's boyfriend was also targeted, but survived.
Mr. Bo's shocking murder has shaken the real estate industry, prompting companies to review their security practices and consider rare but horrifying incidents of violence in the securities industry.
The first-degree murder convictions of Berry Alexander Davis and Cedric Lamont Berry were affirmed by the state Supreme Court in 2021, but sentencing for alleged plot leader Lyndon Wiggins is still pending. . Davis and Berry were also given concurrent sentences of 13 years each for kidnapping and 20 years for attempted murder. The life sentence without parole begins after the remainder of the sentence is served.
During sentencing, the victim's mother begged the judge to give him as long a sentence as possible.
Prosecutors said Wiggins had a falling out with Baugh's boyfriend, which led to the attack.
Segura admitted arranging the fake screening but claimed he had no knowledge of any plans to harm Bo and believed Bo was cooperating with the drug investigation. Segura allegedly used a fake name to call Bo from a cell phone he had purchased under that false name, and the phone was used only to contact Bo.
The majority of the court found sufficient evidence for the felony murder charge, but insufficient evidence for the premeditated murder and attempted murder charges. The majority cited the trial judge's erroneous jury instructions as a key factor in their decision to overturn the conviction.
The case will return to lower court for further proceedings on Mr. Segura's remaining charges.
— Ted Glanser
