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Man Gets 2 Life Sentences For Murdering Wife, Unborn Child

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – An Apple Valley man will spend life in prison for the murder of his wife and unborn child.

Roger Holland, 37, was sentenced Tuesday to two consecutive life sentences in prison without parole, one for the murder of 37-year-old Margorie Holland, and one for their unborn daughter.

Holland was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder after his wife, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, was found dead inside their Apple Valley townhome on March 7.

"My heart is crushed but my spirit remains strong," Claudia Jones, Margorie's mother, said following the sentencing.

Prosecutors argued that Margorie was planning to leave her husband. She had told him she would turn him into police for lying to her about their financial situation, and using her credit cards without permission.

Throughout the trial Holland maintained his innocence, claiming he arrived home the morning of March 7th to find his wife, dead.

But after investigators found searches on his computer and phone, it was enough evidence for a guilty verdict. She was strangled to death

"Internet searches about can someone break their neck from falling down a flight of stairs and whether you could break someone's necks with your hands," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.

Before the sentencing was read, Margorie's mother prayed Roger would find peace, and that no other family would experience the loss they will feel forever.

"I will use this life lesson to reach out to others and to share where needs are great in order that Margorie's voice continues to be heard and her life will not be in vain," she said.

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