A Cloquet man who was scheduled to stand trial later this month after being accused of killing his girlfriend has pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder.
Richard Edward Marchand, 45, entered the plea Friday in Carlton County District Court. He was indicted by a Carlton County jury last June on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder in the April 1, 2006, death of Diane Marie Putnam. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge rather than go to trial on April 16.
"It was certainly tough for the family, but at the same time it gave them a sense of closure without the risk of a trial and potential appeals from the trial," Carlton County Attorney Thom Pertler said.
Pertler said Marchand faces 25 1/2-years in prison and will be sentenced later this month.
