The state of Minnesota has requested the extradition of Lois Ann Riess, 58, formerly of rural Blooming Prairie, to face charges surrounding the 2018 shooting death of her husband, David.

Riess has been charged in Dodge County with felony first-degree murder – premeditated, felony second-degree murder – with intent – not premeditated – and felony theft – take/use/transfer movable property – no consent.

David Riess was found dead March 23, 2018, at his home in rural Blooming Prairie. Lois Riess was suspected of the murder and became the subject of a nationwide manhunt that ended April 19, 2018, with her arrest in South Padre Island, Texas.

While on the run, Lois Riess murdered 59-year-old Florida resident Pamela Hutchinson on April 9, 2018. Hutchinson’s body was found in a Fort Myers Beach, Florida, condo.

On Oct. 17, 2018, a Dodge County investigator flew to Florida and took possession of a handgun recovered in Lois Riess’ Texas hotel room after her arrest. The handgun, a .22-caliber semi-automatic, was turned into the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Oct. 22, 2018, for forensic testing. On Jan. 29, 2019, the BCA completed its testing and released the handgun back into the custody of Dodge County. The forensics report indicated the shell casings found at the scene of the David Riess homicide matched the handgun being tested.

Lois Riess pleaded guilty Dec. 17, 2019, in Lee County, Florida, to murdering Hutchinson and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. During the hearing, Riess waived her rights to extradition, making it possible for her to come back to Minnesota and face murder charges.

A conviction in Minnesota would not overturn Riess’ sentence in Florida.

John Stiles, spokesman for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, told the Tribune the state has filed paperwork with the state of Florida to extradite Riess from Florida Women’s Reception Center in Ocala, Florida; the request is still being processed.

Stiles said the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case per a request from the Dodge County Attorney’s Office. Extradition and court dates have not been announced, but Stiles said he hopes to have that information by the end of the month.

 

See what happened last night in the PM report here.