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Ronald Mann is charged in father's death
Staff Writer Ronald David Mann, a 50-year-old Cass Lake resident arrested following his father's death, has been charged with murder.
Ronald Mann was charged Tuesday in Cass County District with felony second-degree intentional murder but without premeditation for the death of 74-year-old Ivan Mann.
Ronald Mann is being held in jail on $500,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office ruled Ivan Mann's death as a homicide, with the manner of death being manual strangulation accompanied by blunt force trauma to the head.
Ivan and Ronald Mann both lived in a wooded area of rural Cass Lake. Ivan Mann was reported missing Aug. 22. Ronald Mann was arrested Thursday at the property for felon in possession of a firearm after he approached deputies who were searching for Ivan Mann. Ivan Mann's body was found Friday in a wooded area of his property.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Ronald Mann:
¥ Ivan Mann had not been seen for more than a week before he was reported missing Aug. 22. On that date, Ronald Mann told Cass County sheriff's deputies that he had seen his father the day before and that he was fine. However, deputies were unable to locate Ivan Mann and in talking with a neighbor learned Ronald Mann had not allowed the neighbor in the residence.
¥ Deputies forced entry to Ivan Mann's residence and found a cane, a portable oxygen tank and pills that were unused for that week. Also found was a checkbook that had not been used since Aug. 9.
¥ After receiving a search warrant, Cass County sheriff's deputies found apparent blood splatter on the walls and floor in both Ronald and Ivan Mann's residences, clothing with apparent blood stains in a wood burning stove and jeans and a sheet in a kitchen sink that appeared to have blood stains.
¥ On Thursday, Ronald Mann told investigators that he had found his father lying dead on the floor and attempted CPR but was unsuccessful. He then said he panicked and disposed of Ivan Mann's body.
¥ On Friday, Ronald Mann told investigators where they could find the body of Ivan Mann. Ronald Mann said he had an argument with Ivan Mann and had struck him with a bloody towel.
¥ A Cass County sheriff's investigator reported that in 2003 Ivan Mann had expressed concern for his safety regarding Ronald Mann.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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