07/08/2019- The case against a Pembine man accused of killing his wife in January is heading to trial. A pre-trial conference was held Friday for 56-year-old Gary Rogge whose facing one count of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly shooting his wife, Shelley Erickson Rogge, at their home in Pembine. An autopsy revealed Erickson-Rogge died from a contact gunshot wound to the chest and the state says it was an intentional act following an argument between the two at the bar. However, Rogge claimed he and his wife were playing shooting games and he was demonstrating a “quick draw” when the gun went off and Rogge’s attorney John D’Angelo says the defense is prepared to argue the victim’s death was accidental.
A 12-person jury with 3 alternates will be selected on July 26th and Rogge’s five-day jury trial is scheduled to begin July 29th. If convicted, he faces mandatory life imprisonment.