Judge weighs new-trial motion on Wiggins’ sentencing day in Monique Baugh case
A Hennepin County jury on Nov. 3, 2025 found Lyndon Akeem Wiggins guilty on four counts, including aiding and abetting first‑degree premeditated murder, with sentencing set for Nov. 13 after a jury of six women and six men returned the verdict following about six hours of deliberation. On the day of sentencing Wiggins’ attorney filed a 13‑page motion seeking a third retrial, alleging cumulative due‑process violations — including witness warnings, refusal to revisit CSLI suppression, emotional outbursts by the victim’s mother, and an unresolved recusal motion — which Judge Kappelhoff took under advisement amid sharp criticism from prosecutors and the victim’s family.
📌 Key Facts
- Retrial timeline: jury selection began Oct. 14, 2025; the case was sent to the jury after closing arguments (Oct. 31) and the jury returned a verdict on Nov. 3 after about six hours of deliberation.
- A Hennepin County jury found Lyndon Akeem Wiggins guilty on four counts, including aiding and abetting first‑degree premeditated murder and first‑degree murder while committing kidnapping; charges also included attempted first‑degree murder and kidnapping to cause great bodily harm.
- Sentencing was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, but on the day of sentencing Wiggins’ attorney, Sarah Gad, filed a 13‑page motion seeking another retrial; Judge Kappelhoff took the motion under advisement instead of proceeding immediately to sentencing.
- The defense’s motion alleges a 'cumulative due‑process violation' — citing claimed witness warnings, the court’s refusal to revisit suppression of cell‑site location information (CSLI), allowance of emotional outbursts by the victim’s mother before the jury, and the judge continuing to preside despite an unresolved recusal motion.
- Prosecutor Paige Starkey criticized the late filing for its impact on the victim’s family; Monique Baugh’s mother publicly called the filing 'shenanigans,' and there were on‑record reactions from Baugh’s family (including cousin Tange Baugh) and the prosecution after the verdict.
- The retrial followed a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that faulty jury instructions in the earlier trial required a new trial.
- Trial evidence and testimony: prosecutors say Wiggins orchestrated the plot stemming from a dispute with Jon Mitchell‑Momoh despite no direct texts or messages tying him to planning; the defense contended the case depended on circumstantial cell‑tower evidence and compelled testimony and lacked direct communications of a murder‑for‑hire — Wiggins testified in his own defense and is serving a 19‑year federal drug sentence.
- Co‑defendant context and outcomes: Elsa Segura — whose earlier conviction was overturned — testified in the retrial, later pleaded guilty and received a 20‑year sentence; co‑defendants Cedric Berry and Berry Davis have had life sentences upheld, and Shante Berry received probation for aiding an offender.
📰 Sources (5)
Lyndon Wiggins’ defense files for third retrial in Monique Baugh murder at sentencing
New information:
- Wiggins’ attorney Sarah Gad filed a 13-page motion seeking another retrial on the day of sentencing.
- Judge Kappelhoff took the motion under advisement rather than proceeding directly to sentencing.
- Defense cites a 'cumulative due-process violation,' including alleged witness warnings, refusal to revisit CSLI suppression, allowing emotional outbursts by the victim’s mother before the jury, and continuing to preside despite an unresolved recusal motion.
- Prosecutor Paige Starkey publicly criticized the late motion’s impact on the victim’s family; Monique Baugh’s mother called the filing 'shenanigans.'
Man found guilty in murder of Twin Cities real estate agent
New information:
- Sentencing is set for Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Hennepin County District Court.
- Jury deliberated for about six hours, starting Friday afternoon and concluding around 2:30 p.m. Monday.
- Jury composition was six women and six men.
- Prosecutor Paige Starkey noted that co‑defendant Elsa Segura testified in this retrial, as did Wiggins.
- Article specifies charge details including attempted first‑degree murder and kidnapping to cause great bodily harm, and that Baugh’s boyfriend was shot in front of their two young children.
- On‑record reactions and quotes from Baugh’s family (cousin Tange Baugh) and the prosecution following the verdict.
Minneapolis real estate agent murder re-trial ends with guilty verdict
New information:
- A Hennepin County jury on Nov. 3, 2025 found Lyndon Akeem Wiggins guilty on four counts, including aiding/abetting first-degree premeditated murder and first-degree murder while committing kidnapping.
- The retrial followed a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that faulty jury instructions required a new trial.
- Retrial timeline: jury selection began Oct. 14, 2025; verdict returned Nov. 3, 2025.
- Context updates: co-conspirator Elsa Segura’s conviction was overturned but she later pleaded guilty and received a 20-year sentence; Cedric Berry and Berry Davis’ life sentences were upheld; Shante Berry received probation for aiding an offender.
Trial of alleged mastermind in real estate agent’s fatal shooting goes to jury
New information:
- After a nearly three-week trial, the case was sent to the jury following closing arguments on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.
- Defendant Lyndon Wiggins took the stand in his own defense.
- Jury composition is six women and six men.
- Charges to the jury include aiding and abetting first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping to cause great bodily harm, and first-degree murder while committing a felony.
- Prosecutors argued Wiggins orchestrated the plot due to a dispute with Jon Mitchell-Momoh, while acknowledging no direct texts/messages tie him to planning.
- Defense argued the case relies on circumstantial cell-tower evidence and compelled testimony, with no direct communications linking Wiggins to a murder-for-hire.
- Article notes Wiggins is serving a 19-year federal sentence on a drug conviction.