Minnesota Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Woman’s Death

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) - A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for allegedly killing his girlfriend in Itasca County.

Reports say Eugene Nason, of Deer River, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the death of 43-year-old Sonya Ann Smith July 24. He was then sentenced to 26 years in prison and must serve a minimum of about 17 years.

Deputies found Smith dead in a bathtub of water, with cuts and bruises on her face and neck.

There were blood smears on the wall of the shower area, and blood stains and smears on the living room couch and floor, along with broken glass.

According to the autopsy, Smith died of a ruptured spleen and liver, broken ribs and hemorrhaging in her head.