BEND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon judge has convicted a man of aggravated murder and related charges in the death of his wife, whose remains were found stuffed into a steel barrel three years after she vanished.
Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Tiktin heard evidence in the nearly two-month trial after 48-year-old Darrell Kelly Middlekauff of La Pine waived his right to a jury trial.
Brenda Middlekauff vanished in 2002.
The judge said Thursday there was no doubt that Middlekauff killed his wife in a violent sex crime, binding, gagging and shooting her three times, then burying her remains in a barrel near their home.
KTVZ says Middlekauff said nothing in court. He faces possible life in prison.
The sentencing phase of his case will begin next month. After that his lawyers are expected to file an appeal. Defense lawyers declined comment Thursday.
