Woman Accused in Deer Feeding Shooting Acquitted

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A woman accused of encouraging her husband to shoot their New Brighton neighbor in a dispute over feeding deer has been found not guilty of charges against her.

A Ramsey County judge cited inconsistent testimony from the victim's wife in reaching her decision to acquit Paula Zumberge on four charges, including aiding and abetting second-degree murder. The 50-year-old Zumberge had waived her right to a jury trial and left the decision in the hands of the judge who ruled Tuesday.

Zumberge's husband, Neal, faces trial on charges of killing Todd Stevens and wounding Jennifer Damerow-Cleven in May. Investigators say Neal Zumberge blamed his Lyme disease on Stevens' practice of feeding deer in their neighborhood.

Prosecutors alleged Paula Zumberge threatened her neighbor's life, and then urged her husband to open fire.