Moorhead, Minn. — In a tragic turn of events, a woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend, culminating a nearly two-year legal battle. Connie Jo Frank entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder without intent during the commission of a felony, a decision that avoided a drawn-out trial and allowed her to accept responsibility for her actions.
The case against Frank began on August 4, 2024, when police responded to a 911 call at a home on Third Avenue North. They arrived to find Willard DeGroat with a severe stab wound to his chest. Emergency responders rushed him to Sanford Medical Center, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. Frank was arrested soon after the incident occurred and was quickly identified as the prime suspect.
According to the investigation, Frank and DeGroat had maintained an on-again, off-again relationship for about five years. Witnesses reported hearing them argue on the night of the stabbing, with one resident observing their dispute escalate into physical violence. By the time help arrived, Frank had fled the scene, leaving her son to call for emergency assistance upon discovering DeGroat injured.
Authorities later detained Frank when she returned to the house while investigators were still on the scene. During her transport to the jail, she made several confessions, including an admission of guilt and a chilling statement that she “would kill him again.” These comments raised concerns and became central to the prosecution’s case against her.
Further evidence gathered during the investigation included surveillance footage from a neighboring property, which captured Frank screaming shortly before DeGroat was heard asking someone to call for help. This tape, combined with witness accounts and Frank’s own admissions, painted a grim picture of the events leading up to DeGroat’s death.
In court proceedings, Frank’s legal team argued that her actions were the result of prolonged emotional trauma within the relationship. However, prosecutors emphasized that she had waived her right to claim self-defense as part of her guilty plea, which led to the dismissal of the original charge of intentional murder.
As the sentencing unfolded, family members of DeGroat addressed the court, expressing their deep sense of loss and the emotional toll his death had taken on them. They shared poignant reflections on the lasting impact of the tragedy and conveyed their inability to forgive Frank’s actions that led to their brother’s death.
Before the sentencing, Frank issued an apology to DeGroat’s family. She expressed remorse for her actions and indicated that she was grappling with her own emotional turmoil since the incident. The contrast between her current sentiments and her earlier admissions to law enforcement raised questions about her mental state at the time of the confrontation.
Clay County District Judge Tammy L. Merkins considered the impact of DeGroat’s death on his loved ones when deciding on the appropriate sentence. The judge also took into account the time Frank had already served while awaiting trial, amounting to 724 days.
Along with her prison term, the court ordered Frank to pay restitution and imposed conditions that include a permanent ban on firearm possession and the requirement to submit a DNA sample. The sentence marks a decisive end to a disturbing case that began with a domestic dispute and ended with the recognition of the profound consequences of violence in personal relationships.