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St. Paul Man Gets 6 Years For Stalking Conviction

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A St. Paul man convicted of compiling a "hit list" and stalking his ex-wife and two others was sentenced this week to six years in prison, about twice the term recommended under state guidelines.

Michael John Mangan pleaded guilty in May to three counts of aggravated stalking. His sister and brother-in-law told police he'd assembled a list of people he planned to kill, and that he also planned to kill any police officers who tried to stop him.

Defense attorney Tyler Bliss told the judge Thursday his client has expressed "sincere remorse," and should be sentenced to probation. But prosecutor Sarah Cory asked for a sentence of 6½ years due to aggravating factors.

Mangan, a former U.S. Marine, terrorized his ex-wife and those who supported her from the time they divorced in December 2011 until he was arrested Oct. 4, Cory said. He trailed his victims and learned their routines, she said.

"The defendant's actions went well beyond stalking somebody," Cory said. "He prepared himself to destroy his ex-wife's life."

Mangan apologized in court, saying he was truly sorry for his actions.

"My life fell apart, and I found myself completely connected to that anger," he said.

But Judge Rosanne Nathanson said a stiff sentence was necessary because of Mangan's "extraordinary planning" and hit list.

Officers who executed a search warrant at his home found sealed letters addressed to his children, other relatives and friends, the complaint said. The letters were written as though he had completed a murder-suicide involving his ex-wife.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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