Wabasha County Man Charged for Second Degree Murder

James E. Riley. Photo: Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office

(Learfield) A southeast Minnesota man is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father last Friday near Zumbro Falls.

Court documents show 44-year-old James Riley admitted to hitting 73-year-old Edward Riley with a hammer a couple of times before stabbing him.   Riley told detectives he used a tractor to put his father’s body in the trunk of a car.

His wife later found Edward’s body covered with a tarp.  Deputies said James claimed that his father was mean to everyone.

His bail is set at $250,000.