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Tiede Makes Court Appearance, Seeks Lighter Sentence

Attorneys for former mortician Bernie Tiede, who’s serving a life sentence for the death of a rich Panola County widow, are seeking a lighter sentence. Tiede’s in prison for the 1997 death of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent.

 

Panola County Court documents unsealed Wednesday show Tiede's attorneys want to introduce new evidence of a history of severe sexual abuse of Tiede and an abusive relationship between him and Nugent. Tiede's attorney, Jodi Cole, writes that the abuse finally pushed Tiede over the edge and he shot his elderly companion.

 

The 55-year old Tiede, was convicted by a San Augustine County jury in February 1999 of killing Nugent and keeping her body in a freezer for nine months.

 

Judge Diane DeVasto has asked for help from attorneys in gathering all the information and records needed for the case, with a new hearing tentatively scheduled for March.

 

In addition, Tiede has a pending felony theft charge against him which will reportedly be taken up at a later date.

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