DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man was sentenced to life in jail with out the opportunity of parole on Friday for stalking his spouse whereas posing as her ex-boyfriend after which murdering her, acts that the lady’s father stated had been “pure egocentric evil” which have robbed the couple’s three kids of their mother and father.
The obligatory sentence got here a day after jurors discovered Daniel Krug, 44, responsible of first-degree homicide for killing Kristil Krug shortly earlier than Christmas in 2023, in addition to legal impersonation and stalking that had made her concern for her household.
The couple’s kids at the moment are being raised by Kristil Krug’s brother and his spouse, with assist from their prolonged household, together with her father, Lars Grimsrud.
“Our complete household won’t ever be the identical once more,” Grimsrud advised Choose Priscilla Loew earlier than the sentence was imposed.
Along with his marriage to Kristil Krug falling aside, prosecutors stated Daniel Krug determined to play “puppet grasp” by scaring his spouse after which attempting to win her again by defending her from the pretend stalking, uniting them towards a typical menace.
Kristil Krug saved a log monitoring the more and more threatening texts and emails that suggested she was being watched. As police investigated the messages, prosecutors stated Daniel Krug started to appreciate that he may face legal fees and began plotting tips on how to kill his spouse to silence her and since she didn’t need to be with him anymore.
Prosecutors stated he waited for her to return to their suburban Denver residence on Dec. 14, 2023, after taking two of their kids to high school, attacked her from behind and knocked her unconscious earlier than stabbing her within the coronary heart.
On the time of the killing, the ex-boyfriend was an eight-hour drive away in Utah, the place he was residing, in keeping with investigators.
The protection pressured there was no bodily proof or DNA linking him to the violent killing, noting that there was no blood present in his automobile or his garments.
Kristil Krug, a biochemical engineer who additionally was a gifted dancer, was described by household and associates as “fiercely sensible,” humorous and artistic.
Her cousin, Becky Ivanoff, stated Friday that Daniel Krug had “ripped a gaping gap within the hearts of everybody who cherished her.”
“The depths of depravity, the manipulation he displayed in torturing Kristil and her kids knew no bounds, and the fear he inflicted on her and her kids is unimaginable,” she stated.
On the request of prosecutors, Loew discovered that Daniel Krug’s crimes had been acts of home violence. Along with the life sentence imposed for the homicide conviction, Loew additionally added one other 9 ½ years to his sentence for the stalking and legal impersonation convictions.
District Legal professional Brian Mason stated the motive was “management,” saying Daniel Krug’s actions had been “an instance of depravity.”
Krug selected to not converse earlier than he was sentenced. His older brother Jeremy Krug was the one individual to handle the decide from his facet of the household.
Jeremy Krug stated the household had held out hope that another person was liable for what occurred and didn’t study of the proof linking his brother to the crimes till the trial. He expressed grief for the couple’s kids and stated he hoped his personal kids would be capable to see their cousins.
“We love him and God forgive him what he’s finished,” he stated.
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