Prosecution Rests In Zumberge Neighbor-Killing Case
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - After three days of prosecution testimony, the state has rested its case against Neal Zumberge.
He's the New Brighton homeowner who ended a long-running deer feeding dispute by shooting and killing his neighbor, Todd Stevens.
As the prosecution rested its murder case against Zumberge, we got a better idea as to what prompted him to pull a shotgun trigger four times, killing Stevens and injuring his girlfriend, Jennifer Cleven.
In a taped interrogation, Zumberge tells investigators, "It's not like I went, 'I'm going to go kill this guy.' I just flipped out."
Zumberge explained how the quarrel over deer feeding was the the tip of the iceberg. He'd long complained to police about Steven's drunken quarrels, domestic fights and threats to Zumberge's family.
When agents asked him what was different on May 5, Zumberge responds: "Fear. I was fed up. Everybody knows he's a gun collector, he's a screwball. He carried a .38 in his cellphone box. He doesn't have a license to carry."
At one point, Zumberge tells agents, "They should give me a medal here. Police were going there all the time. Domestics, domestics, domestics."
Near the end of the 80-minute interview, Zumberge expresses concern, saying, "I hope he's all right and my wife's okay. I know my life is screwed."
Zumberge's daughter Jessica was the first defense witness, saying she feared Stevens and moved out of the house. She twice saw Stevens with a gun on his belt and heard him threaten her father at least five times.
Earlier on Friday, Judge Margaret Marrinan ordered three spectators out of court. It was learned they've relayed testimony from the trial to Paula Zumberge, who is yet to testify.
"Testimony of a major witness here may have been compromised," Marrinan said.
The judge said court rules need to be followed to not influence witnesses.
The three were ordered to stay away until after Paula Zumberge testifies. That will come on Monday, followed closely by the defendant himself.
This could go to the jury as early as Wednesday.
