A Mitchell man accused of suffocating his wife has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter.
Thirty-nine-year-old James Brinker is charged in the death last month of 36-year-old Marie Brinker. He entered his pleas Wednesday and trial was scheduled for the week of Feb. 13.
Court documents allege Brinker wrapped his wife in a blanket, placed her on a mattress, then put a sock in her mouth and tied a belt around her head to hold the sock in place. He allegedly then left the residence, picked up the couple’s three children and had two sons go inside the home and call 911.
Brinker allegedly was staying at the residence despite a protection order filed against him.
He remains jailed in lieu of $750,000 bond.
Copyright the Associated Press
