Rockford, Minnesota

From WaconiaPatriot.com of December 20, 2006

Watertown man killed in Rockford

A Watertown man was killed when he reportedly broke into the home of a former girlfriend around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 13 in Rockford.

Erik Richter, 35, was killed by two 12-guage-shotgun blasts fired by Eric Cegon when Richter broke into the apartment where Cegon and Richter’s former girlfriend, Samantha Simons, lived together with Simon’s 2-year-old son.

Wright County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Todd Hoffman said deputies were looking for Richter because he had allegedly violated an order for protection ordering him to stay away from Simons. He had reportedly threatened her life with a knife the previous week.

Richter was due in court later that morning to answer charges that he had threatened Simons life. A judge could have sent him back to jail for that alleged threat.

According to sheriff’s deputies, Richter broke into the apartment carrying a loaded gun. Hoffman said part of the investigation includes determining who owned the gun and how Richter obtained it. They are also looking into whether drugs or alcohol played a role in incident. Hoffman said the Wright County Attorney would determine within the next two weeks whether charges against the Simons’ current boyfriend, Cegon, are appropriate.

State law allows persons to defend themselves with deadly force if a threat of great bodily harm or death is present. Hoffman said the case is a tragic event where Richter reportedly would not allow anyone beside himself to be involved with Simons.

Hoffman declined comment on whether investigators would recommend charges be filed against Cegon.

Richter had reportedly posted a $10,000 bail to avoid jail for the previous alleged threats he made against Simons. He broke a condition of that release when he allegedly threatened Simons on Dec. 6. Richter has previously been convicted for possession of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Previous coverage:

From the December 13, 2006 Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune:

A man was shot to death early Wednesday after forcibly entering a home in Rockford, said the Wright County Sheriff's Office.

The man, Erik A. Richter, 35 of Watertown, forced his way into his former girlfriend's home in violation of a conditional release order, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

Deputies were called about 3:30 a.m. to a shooting in the home of Samantha E. Simons, 21, in the 8800 block of Walnut Place, a news release said. The intruder was shot by Simons' friend, a 30-year-old man from Rockford. Investigators were trying to determine whether the shooting was a case of self-defense, said Lt. Greg Howell. He said he couldn't provide any other details.

From Minneapolis’ WCCO.com of January 17, 2007

Man Won't Be Charged For Killing Girlfriend's Ex

The Wright County prosecutor has decided not to press charges against a Rockford, Minn. man who shot his girlfriend's former boyfriend in December.

Eric M. Cegon, 30, shot 35-year-old Erik A. Richter, of Watertown, Minn., twice with a shotgun early in the morning of Dec. 13 when Richter broke in through a back door into the Rockford home of Samantha E. Simons, 21.

According to Wright County Attorney Thomas Kelly, the relationship between Richter and Simons turned abusive, culminating with a charge of domestic assault filed in April 2005.

When Simons began a relationship with Cegon in September 2006, Richter began threatening both of them.

"He refused to let her go, and said that if he couldn't have her, nobody would," Kelly said.

Richter was charged with making terroristic threats and inflicting criminal damage to property on Nov. 6 of last year after he broke all the windows on Cegon's vehicle and tried to climb through his bedroom window, yelling his intentions to kill Cegon.

As a result of the incident, Richter was ordered to have no contact with either Simons or Cegon and was ordered to not possess or use firearms. Simons also applied for an additional restraining order against Richter.

Richter violated the order when, according to Kelly, he allegedly threatened her with a knife on Dec. 6. Due to the incident, a pick-up order was placed for probable cause felony assault. A court date was set for Dec. 13.

Cegon and Simons went to bed the evening of Dec. 12 prepared for a visit from Richter. They barricaded the front door of Simons' house with a small sofa, locked themselves with Simons' son in an upstairs bedroom and blocked the door with a dresser.

Cegon armed himself with a shotgun.

At 3:30 a.m., according to Kelly, Richter broke through the front door of the house and ran upstairs, forcing open the bedroom door and knocking down the dresser. He had in his hand a loaded, .45-caliber Colt semi-automatic handgun.

Later investigation revealed Richter had also brought leg irons and handcuffs.

Cegon shot Richter twice.

According to Kelly, the state law allowing a person to defend himself with necessary deadly force in his home if he feels threatened by an intruder applied to Cegon's case.

"Did Cegon have an honest and reasonable belief that he or Simons were in imminent jeopardy of great bodily harm or death? Yes," said Kelly in a press statement. "Was Cegon's use of deadly force necessary to avert great bodily harm or death? Yes.

"In this case, the state has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Cegon was not justified in using deadly force," he continued. "Based upon the facts, I am unable to meet that burden and therefore no criminal charges will be filed against Cegon."