A 39-year-old Minnesota man admits to stabbing his girlfriend’s son to death, but says he was actually trying to kill her.
Houston Morris pleaded guilty Wednesday to unintentional second-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to court documents, he and his girlfriend had been dating for about a year and living together for a couple weeks in an Olivia home.
She had previously filed an order of protection for herself and her son against Morris, who had a prior conviction for a domestic assault misdemeanor.
The criminal complaint states he had assaulted her multiple times and threatened to kill both of them. She also has a one-year-old daughter.
On March 24, 2022, the couple got into an argument and Morris strangled her. He then hit her with a lead pipe and a metal bed frame.
She reportedly grabbed a knife to try and defend herself, but he was able to grab it and attack, the complaint says.
Morris tried to stab her, but missed and struck the 13-year-old son, who was standing behind her, in the chest. The boy then called 911.
Responding officers found him lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. The one-year-old girl was also home, covered in blood.
Authorities say the children’s mother had cuts on her head and hands, as well as deep bite marks on one arm. Morris had no serious injuries.
The judge set Morris’ bond at $500,00 and he will be sentenced May 10. According to a plea petition, both attorneys expect he will face 16 to 20 years in prison.
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