The United States Attorney's Office

Western District of Michigan

Press Release

Contact:
PAUL D. LOCHNER
ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY
PHONE: (906) 226-2500

DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2008 - MARQUETTE, Mich. – Derek Joseph Linklater, 25, of North Spirit Lake, Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley to a federal charge of second degree murder in connection with the death of Loretta Wandahsega, a member of the Hannahville Indian Community, U.S. Attorney Charles R. Gross announced today.

During his plea, Linklater said he married the victim, Loretta Wandahsega, on July 11, 2007. Linklater admitted that in the early morning hours of July 12, 2007, he and Ms. Wandahsega got into an argument that escalated into physical contact in which he struck Ms. Wandahsega repeatedly on her face and head, causing her death. This incident took place on Hannahville Indian Community land.

Sentencing in this case is scheduled for May 20, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. before the Honorable Paul L. Maloney, U.S. District Judge, at the federal courthouse in Marquette. Linklater faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Gross praised and thanked the Hannahville Tribal Police Department, the Michigan State Police, the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory in Marquette and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their coordinated efforts in investigating the case.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D. Lochner.