First-degree murder indictment returned in New Brighton killing

A grand jury indicted Neal C. Zumberge of first-degree murder in the May killing of his neighbor over a deer feeding feud.

October 22, 2014 at 10:52PM
Neal C. Zumberge, 58, opened fire on neighbors Todd Stevens and Jennifer Clevens after the latter engaged in an argument with Zumberge's wife, Paula, outside their home the evening of May 5, 2014.
Neal C. Zumberge. (Catherine Preus/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A grand jury indicted Neal C. Zumberge of first-degree murder in the May killing of his neighbor over a deer feeding feud.

The grand jury also indicted him on first-degree attempted murder for wounding his neighbor's girlfriend. Authorities believe Zumberge fired a semiautomatic shotgun at Todd G. Stevens and Jennifer Damerow-Cleven on May 5, killing Stevens.

Zumberge also remains charged with the initial counts filed against him: second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. He is scheduled to stand trial Feb. 2, 2015.

Authoritied allege that Zumberge shot at his neighbors because of a years long feud about Stevens feeding deer in his yard. The day of the shooting, Damerow-Cleven had called the police on Zumberge's son, Jacob, who was wanted for making threats against her and Stevens.

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