NORTH MANKATO — The suspect in a North Mankato homicide in 2024 recently entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder, setting up a March sentencing.
Dominic Scott Ellen, 41, of Arlington, was charged in Nicollet County District Court after the July 23 homicide of John Everette Lutgen-Bernatz, 27.
Lutgen-Bernatz died from multiple gunshot wounds. At a Feb. 13 plea hearing, Ellen stated he intentionally shot him four times at a North Mankato apartment.
After the incident police reported finding Ellen in possession of a gun with no serial number on it. Spent shell casings and live rounds were in his pocket, according to a criminal complaint.
A criminal complaint details a woman was with Lutgen-Bernatz and Ellen leading up to the shooting. She reportedly told police that Ellen told her Lutgen-Bernatz needed to die, followed by her hearing a gunshot while she was in another room.
Ellen then told her he couldn’t have any witnesses and shot Lutgen-Bernatz more, according to the complaint. The woman said Ellen demanded money from her afterward.
Ellen’s plea indicates he intentionally committed the act without premeditation. He could face a sentence up to 21 years and nine months, according to court records.
A court-ordered examination had earlier determined Ellen was competent to proceed in the case.
His sentencing hearing is set for March 11.
As part of the plea he could also have separate felony check forgery and drug possession case dismissed.