Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Man accused of killing wife to be arraigned in Lincoln County
DAVENPORT-54-year-old Charles R. Bergman of Moses Lake, who is charged with first-degree premeditated murder of his 53-year-old wife Theresa Bergman, waived extradition in Pennsylvania and will be brought back to Lincoln County to be arraigned, Lincoln County prosecutor Adam Walser confirmed this week.
Bergman appeared in court in Pennsylvania Tuesday, Oct. 4, where he waived his extradition.
"We will work with the U.S. Marshal service to get him back here," interim Sheriff Gabe Gants said. "Typically you have 10 days to pick them up."
Theresa Bergman's body was found 12 miles northwest of Sprague off Stolp Road Thursday, Sept. 22 after she and Charles had been reported missing in Grant County. Charles Bergman was arrested by U.S. Marshals in New Stanton a day later after he was charged.
Investigation records state Charles Bergman had conducted prior Google research of the area where Theresa Bergman's body was found by a local farmer. Her body showed signs of trauma to the right rear side of her head, according to police reports.
The Bergmans were caught on camera leaving Spokane International Airport just after midnight Sept. 18, and their phones last went offline around Sprague just under two hours later, records state.
Charles and Theresa Bergman had a strained marriage, and both partners had indicated desire for separation or divorce, according to investigation records.
Walser said he expects Bergman to appear in Lincoln County Superior Court during a Tuesday criminal docket in the next couple of weeks, depending on when he arrives back here. Bergman's first appearance will mark the start of a hearing that will be the county's first murder case in 20 years.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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