Sentence Handed Down in Rochester Murder Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A woman who previously pleaded guilty in a Rochester murder case was sent to prison on Monday. 

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In January, 26-year-old Ruth Miller agreed to plead guilty to the second-degree murder charge in exchange for the dismissal of interference with a dead body and felony theft. 

She was arrested in August of last year for the death of 28-year-old Marcus Martin, whose body was discovered by a passerby at Mayo West Park in downtown Rochester last June. 

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Woman Sent to Prison for 2024 Rochester, MN Strangulation Murder

Shortly after Martin’s death, Miller told Rochester police she killed Martin by strangling him with a belt, the criminal complaint says. 

She also took officers to the Rochester Public Library and showed them where she stashed Martin’s belongings after killing him, the charges say. Miller said Martin told her he wanted to die. 

Investigators, who did not yet have the results of Martin’s autopsy, decided not to arrest Miller, according to the criminal complaint. In August, the Southern Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office determined Martin died of strangulation, the complaint says. 

Law enforcement then took Miller into custody in Chaska. The plea agreement Miller entered called for a presumptive sentence of more than 27 years in prison. 

On Monday the judge abided by the agreement and sentenced Miller to 326 months in prison. She was given credit for 206 days already spent behind bars.