Bachman Sentenced To 13+ Years In Wife's Murder
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A judge had harsh words for a Twin Cities man who admitted to strangling his wife and hiding her body nearly 20 years ago.
In court Friday, that judge called Norman Bachman a terrible person and then sent him to prison for just over 13 years.
Back in April 1997, Toni Bachman vanished. No one knew what happened inside the couple's White Bear Lake Township home until her husband confessed to her murder this year.
There was a time when Toni Bachman's family wondered if they'd ever see the day when a few moments inside a courtroom could help them move past a loss that began 18 years ago.
"We know he's locked up. He can't hurt anyone else," Tim Reineccius, the victim's brother, said.
In October, Toni Bachman's loved ones heard Norman Bachman admit to taking her life in April 1997. He admitted to strangling and dismembering her before burying her body.
During sentencing, Norman Bachman would be the one to listen during the victim's impact statements.
"For him to hear our voices is very important today," Reineccius said.
Three of Toni's siblings talked of her vibrant smile and how her death has changed their family.
"Toni was the victim and the rest of us, who are living, continue to be his victim," Reineccius said.
The defendant's son Chris Bachman, who was there the day Toni Bachman died, also had some final words for his father. His testimony through the years helped lead to his father's arrest.
"I didn't want him going away today knowing I didn't say anything," he said.
During the victim's impact statement, Chris Bachman expressed his anger and said, "He has shown me what not to do -- more importantly what I don't want in my life."
He also expressed his frustration with the information that his father hasn't told investigators.
"Today, we had justice. But we don't really have full justice because Toni hasn't been found," he said.
For the victim's family, Norman Bachman's 13 years in prison sentence allows some sense of peace but they are still waiting for closure.
"I really feel sad today. I wish we would have found her body," Edie Reineccius, Toni Bachman's sister, said.
Norman Bachman could get more than three years off his sentence if he helps authorities find the victim's body.
Authorities have gone on several searches but authorities haven't found her. Bachman said he will work with investigators until they find Toni Bachman.
