Hopkins man indicted on first-degree murder charges in death of ex-girlfriend

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has indicted a man on charges of first-degree murder in an apparent domestic homicide involving a history of relationship abuse.

Matthew Brenneman is charged for allegedly killing one-time girlfriend Danicka Bergeson just days after getting out of jail for assaulting her.

Previously the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office had filed second-degree murder charges against Brenneman, with court files documenting a history of threatening behavior and physical abuse, including punching, biting, choking and deadly threats.

A grand jury has now indicted Brenneman on three different murder counts, including first-degree while committing domestic abuse.

Brenneman’s defense has filed a motion to dismiss murder charges, arguing there is no medical evidence it was a murder, writing, "Nothing in the autopsy suggests that a homicide occurred. No medical evidence makes one explanation for the cause of Ms. Bergerson’s death more likely than another."

Previous charges, alleged abuse

Danicka Bergeson was found dead in her apartment on July 8. Brenneman was present when police arrived.

Prosecutors have described a gruesome scene in which she may have been dead in her bed a day, perhaps longer, according to charges.

"To find out that he had been let out with really all his liberties, or little or no restrictions, no ankle bracelet. There was a domestic violence no contact order put in place, but it had no teeth," Danicka’s father, David Bergeson, told FOX 9’s Paul Blume at the time. "He was pretty much free to roam wherever he wanted to. And he did." 

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner was never able to determine a cause of death. But Bergeson had abrasions and bruising, and was wrapped in blankets and a plastic garbage bag.

Prior to police arriving, Brenneman had apparently swallowed bleach in an unsuccessful attempt at taking his own life.

Prosecutors say they have Brenneman on a jailhouse phone recording discussing the possibility Bergeson’s death was a "crime of passion."

David Bergeson described his daughter as a gifted, former state high school swimming champ at Edina. She was also a medic in the military, who he said sometimes opened her heart and cared for others, maybe a little too much.

Previously, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty released the following statement to FOX 9, addressing the prior assaults, and her desire to involve additional resources beyond the prosecutor’s office in the protection of victim-survivors of domestic violence:

"Our deepest condolences go out to the victim's family at this extremely difficult time. I cannot imagine the pain they are experiencing right now.

"Domestic violence cases can be among the most difficult cases to prove due to ongoing romantic relationships between victims and defendants, and because victims often fear participating in the process. The ongoing relationships and legitimate and rational fears unfortunately often make these cases entirely reliant on circumstantial evidence or even leave prosecutors with little admissible evidence to prosecute and prove the cases beyond a reasonable doubt. Still, we will take these cases on when we believe we can prove them beyond a reasonable doubt.

"In Mr. Brenneman’s case, despite the challenges in these cases, our office was able to secure two convictions for his prior conduct. With no criminal history prior to that, probation was the presumptive outcome based on the sentencing guidelines. With those convictions now entered by the judge, they will increase Mr. Brenneman’s criminal history if he is convicted in the new case.

"But cases like this demonstrate why we cannot rely solely on criminal prosecution in our response to violence. We must all do more to support victims of domestic violence. We must provide earlier interventions that provide financial support, housing alternatives, and counseling, to properly address the complexity of these cases and give survivors the tools and support to get out of dangerous situations. Only by doing so can we hope to prevent families from losing their loved ones to tragedies like this one."

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit the hotline’s website to chat with an expert.