a north dakota woman She was charged with poisoning her boyfriend, and her guilty plea means she will serve 25 years in prison.
Ina Thea Kenoyer, 48, was arrested by Minot police last October on suspicion of using antifreeze to kill 51-year-old Stephen Edward Riley Jr. Authorities said Kenoyer believed he was planning to break up with his girlfriend after receiving a large inheritance. However, the investigating authorities doubted the existence of a legacy. The Minot Daily News reported.
Kenoyer entered a guilty plea in May after accepting an agreement with prosecutors. According to KFYR-TV.
State District Judge Richard Hager on Wednesday recommended a joint sentencing recommendation of 50 years in prison (25 years in prison, 25 years suspended), 10 years of supervised probation and restitution to be paid to Riley's family. Accepted $3,455.
Woman charged with poisoning and murdering boyfriend hours after receiving inheritance
This photo from Steve Riley's Facebook page shows him with his girlfriend, Ina Kenoyer, who is accused of murder. (Facebook/Steve Riley)
Riley reportedly became ill while meeting with his attorney on September 3, and when Kenoyer called 911 the next day, paramedics found Riley unresponsive. Police said on Facebook that the man was initially taken to a local medical facility and then transferred to Bismarck Hospital, where he died on Sept. 5.
An autopsy determined Riley died of ethylene glycol poisoning, according to a Minot police officer's affidavit. Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze.
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Defendant Ina Thea Kenoyer leaves court with attorney Tyler Morrow on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in Minot, North Dakota. (Charles Crane/Minot Daily News, via AP)
Authorities said Kenoyer claimed to have been drinking all day and suffering from heat stroke in the days before Riley's death. The affidavit said Kenoyer was aware of the alleged inheritance, believed it was worth more than $30 million, and felt she should receive a portion of it as Riley's common-law wife.
However, North Dakota does not recognize common-law marriage.
Minot Police arrested Ina Thea Kenoyer on October 30, 2023, and charged her with poisoning her boyfriend. (Google Earth)
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Riley's sister, Stephanie Gonzalez, gave a victim impact statement in court, saying: “Regardless of what the final verdict is, it's too bad for you. “The punishment should be commensurate with the crime.” Luckily, the Department of Corrections doesn't put antifreeze in iced tea. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
