2 Charged In Drug-Related Stabbing Death In West St. Paul
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A man and a woman face second-degree murder charges in connection to a drug deal that turned deadly last Tuesday in West St. Paul.
The Dakota County Attorney's Office says Elizabeth Rios, 26, and Jose Dominguez, 21, were also charged with first-degree aggravated robbery in the stabbing death of 30-year-old Daniel Adam Wallner of West St. Paul.
The criminal complaint says the victim's friend told investigators that Wallner was meeting with two people to sell them a large amount of marijuana and he was afraid that they may rob him.
Rios later told investigators that her and Dominguez met Wallner in a West St. Paul parking lot on Nov. 23 for the illegal transaction. She says an argument and struggle occurred, and Rios stabbed Wallner.
Police traced a number in Wallner's phone to one listed at a St. Paul residence. Rios and Dominguez were arrested after leaving the residence four days after Wallner's death.
"This appears to be another example of the violence and danger associated with the illegal drug trade in our community," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom.
Wallner's death is the fourth homicide charged this year in Dakota County.
Rios and Dominguez had their first court appearance Tuesday in Hastings, where each had their bail set at $750,000. Their next appearance is on Dec. 22.
