Bail, conditions set for suspect in Wadena murder

Bail for Antonio St. Marie, 26, of Wadena has been set at $4 million with no conditions or $2 million with conditions. 

St. Marie has been charged with 2nd degree murder in the Nov. 7 shooting death of his estranged wife, Margaret St. Marie, 27, in her Wadena home. Other charges include kidnapping to commit bodily harm, assault with a dangerous weapon and violating a no contact order, according to a complaint filed in the Wadena County District Court.

Judge Sally Robertson appointed Malcolm Whynott, a Wadena criminal defense attorney, as a public defender for St. Marie when he appeared in court for the arraignment Nov. 16.

St. Marie appeared for the arraignment showing injuries he sustained in an accident as he fled the scene of the shooting. His next hearing will be set dependng on his recovery from his injuries. 

Bail conditions include no contact with the victim’s family, direct or indirect; no comments of any kind including face to face, social media, telephone, etc.; electronic home monitoring; no contact with the defendant’s own children, one of whom is a witness to the alleged crimes;  notification to the court of where he will live; not allowed to leave the State of Minnesota; no access to firearms; abstain from the use of chemicals, including alcohol; cooperate with blood or urine testing for chemicals; no threatening, harassing, or violent behavior; at least four hours notice to family members if he is to be released.

According to the complaint, on Nov. 7 St. Marie shot his estranged wife, Margaret St. Marie, 27, in her home on Bryant Ave. SW in Wadena after holding her and her brother at gunpoint, along with a young child.

Margaret St. Marie had obtained a court ordered domestic abuse no-contact order against her husband for a domestic assault that occured on Nov. 4. Antonio was charged in that case but was let out of jail on bail the morning of the murder.

The complaint also states that the couple’s young child was present while Antoinio was holding Margaret and her brother, James Flath, at gunpoint. Flath was able to get the child out of the apartment and contacted his and Margaret’s mother, who contacted authorities and picked up the child.

Antonio St. Marie’s mother also called authorities after he called her while holding the three people at gunpoint.

When Wadena Police arrived, they saw Antonio run to a vehicle and drive away. Police chased the vehicle on Highway 29 at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour and reported that Antonio was driving recklessly before crashing into a truck that was traveling in the opposite direction. Following the crash, he was flown to a medical facility to treat his injuries.

Felony fleeing a peace officer is one of the charges against St. Marie.

After the chase, authorities found Margaret St. Marie dead due to a gunshot wound in her head.

The murder charge and kidnapping charge each carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

Antonio St. Marie has been convicted of three previous felonies involving domestic assault, terroristic threats and violating a no contact order.

The county is also pursuing a termination of parental rights regarding the defendant’s children.  A guardian ad litem has been appointed for them.