Bibler Found Guilty Of Second Degree Murder

Le Mars, Iowa — A northwest Iowa man who pled not guilty after he was accused of allegedly stabbing his sister in 2016 — has been found guilty in a bench trial and will face sentencing next month.

Court records indicate 36-year-old Thomas Bibler of Le Mars (who was 34 at the time) was taken into custody following a fatal stabbing that happened the evening of Saturday, June 11, 2016. Bibler was accused of fatally stabbing his 27-year-old sister, Shannon Bogh. Witnesses to the stabbing identified Bibler as the suspect.

Bibler entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of First Degree Murder, Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, and Going Armed With Intent over two years ago.

At the verdict hearing on Friday, January 18th, District Court Judge Jeffery Neary said that contrary to Bibler’s assertion, the court did not find that Bogh’s husband, Phil had anything to do with the killing. Neary said that First Degree Murder requires specific intent. He says that due to Bibler’s “involuntary intoxication,” and the fact that there was no motive to be found and no evidence of ill will between Bogh and Bibler, (and in fact testimony was presented as to the closeness of the brother and his sister) — he had to find Bibler not guilty of First Degree Murder. But, he says the Court is convinced that Bibler did stab his sister.

Judge Neary also said that the defense of intoxication is a defense of diminished responsibility, but it is a limited defense. In Iowa, Neary says intoxication may only reduce First Degree Murder to Second Degree Murder. And because there was no intent and Bibler was on Ambien sleep aid and antidepressants, the charge was changed to Second Degree Murder, and the court found Bibler guilty of that offense. But Neary found Bibler not guilty of willful injury and going armed with intent.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Friday, February 22nd. While Second Degree Murder is one of the class B felonies, which usually carry a penalty of 25 years in prison, Second Degree Murder carries a special penalty of up to 50 years in prison.

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