Prosecutor says Badger man admits strangling neighbor

ROSEAU, Minn. — A man charged in the death of his neighbor told investigators he strangled the victim after they fought, the prosecutor said Tuesday.

Jeremy Lemen, 34, and Desiree Shinholser, 24, both of Badger, were arraigned Tuesday in state district court in Roseau on second-degree murder charges in the death of their neighbor, John Currier, 31, early Friday.
Judge Donna Dixon set bail at $1 million cash or surety for both defendants.
Prosecutor Eric Schieferdecker asked the judge for the high bail in part because he said Lemen admitted to investigators Saturday that he had strangled Currier to death with his hands, so he posed a threat to public safety.
Lemen told investigators Currier came home drunk to their apartment building after bar-closing late Thursday or early Friday morning and tussled with him, and threw a barbecue grill at Lemen, hitting him in the face.
Lemen told investigators he put a choke hold on Currier and that Shinholser helped him and hit Currier with a hatchet or other similar weapon. He said they used belts to restrain Currier’s arms and legs.