(photo: Meeker County Sheriff’s Office)
A Meeker County man was sentenced this week for the murder of his wife at their home in Dassel in late December of 2023.
36-year-old Bryan Demarais was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years and 7 months in prison, while getting credit for serving 1 year and 7 months.
You may remember that Demariais and his wife, 29-year-old Kayla Demarais were reportedly arguing over financial concerns and alleged cheating. Court records described the incident that ended with Bryan Demarais allegedly shooting and killing his wife while the couple’s two young children, ages 11 and 8, were in a nearby room.
Demarais then reportedly called 911 himself, telling the dispatcher that he had shot his wife. Meeker County authorities found Kayla Demarais in the home with multiple bullet wounds.
Last week, Demarais entered what is called a “Norgaard Plea.” The plea suggests that the he does not recall the details of the charges, but he believes that prosecutors would have enough evidence to lead to a conviction.
Demarais was also sentenced to 33 months in prison on felony endagerment of a child, and an additional count of the same charge because of the crime being committed in close proximity to the children. Those sentences will be served concurrently with the 30-plus-year sentence.
