Son Of Slain Cop Indicted On Counts Of 1st & 2nd Degree Murder
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A grand jury returned an indictment this week on the son of an Elk River police officer accused of killing his father and brother, charging him with first-degree murder and second-degree murder, the Wright County Attorney's Office says.
Officials say that 22-year-old Chris Besser is now facing two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and charges of second degree murder for the May 9 deaths of his father, 49-year-old Todd Besser, and older brother, 27-year-old Blake Besser.
Chris Besser surrendered to authorities at a gas station shortly after the bodies of his brother and father were found in their St. Michael home.
He waived his Miranda rights and told police he killed his family members. He explained to authorities that he and his father weren't getting along and he "just lost it." He added that he shot his brother, who called 911 before dying, because he couldn't leave witnesses behind.
Chris Besser made his first court appearance Wednesday. His bail remains at $2 million, and he's slated to return to court on July 28.
If convicted of the first-degree murder charges, Chris Besser faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
