A Bellevue man accused of killing his wife and dumping her body in the Missouri River last month will face an upgraded charge in connection to her death.
On Monday, Sarpy County Judge Robert Wester ruled that Brandon Norton will now face a First Degree Murder charge.
Norton was originally charged with second degree murder for the death of his estranged wife, 32-year-old Jennifer Norton. That charge has now been upgraded. The defense asked Judge Wester to consider manslaughter in the case, which was taken under advisement, but Wester decided Norton will face the first degree murder charge.
Norton turned himself in to authorities at the Sarpy County Jail on June 5th saying he had murdered Jennifer. Bellevue Police say Norton told officers that he killed Jennifer during a domestic clash in their Bellevue home on the night of June 4th. After killing Jennifer, he told authorities he dropped her body into the Missouri River from the Highway 34 Bridge. Her body was found days later in the river near Plattsmouth.
Norton will remain held in jail without bond.