Two Bagley, Minn., brothers accused of killing their sister in 1998 were arraigned this week on stiffer charges.
Todd and Troy Martin had each been charged with aiding and abetting manslaughter in the second degree; they now both face a charge of second-degree murder, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
Clearwater County Attorney Jeanine Brand said that under the second-degree murder charges, the brothers are accused of unintentionally causing their sister's death while holding her against her will.
Todd Martin originally reported his sister, 31-year-old Leisa Martin, missing on the evening of Oct. 28, 1998. He told authorities he last saw her walk away from their rural Bagley home early that morning. Three days later, hunters found her body near Roy Lake in Mahnomen County, which abuts Clearwater County.
The case remained open until a break came in January when Todd Martin was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and assaulting a deputy. During an interview, he told officers he and his brother were arguing with their sister in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 1998, and restrained her, causing her to pass out.
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Todd Martin, 34, was in court Wednesday, and Troy Martin, 38, appeared Monday. The Martin brothers, who have bailed out of jail, do not have future court dates set.
