Duluth Man Enters Guilty Plea in Girlfriend’s Death

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man accused of killing his girlfriend in March and who first denied committing the death has entered a guilty plea of second-degree murder, while committing domestic assault and strangulation.

As part of the plea deal, 25-year-old Dale John Howard has agreed to a sentence of 20 years in prison for the death of 27-year-old Allisa Vollan in her apartment.

The medical examiner’s office said her injuries were, “concerning for smothering.” Vollan’s family talked to Fox 21 one month after her death describing what their sister meant to them.

“It hurts a lot. A lot. It’s it feels painful to feel like this, that someone has to really do This somebody at all. It’s sickening,” said Matthew Vollan, victim’s brother. “She would always spend time with me. She would try her best to help me with certain things, even if it was hard for both of us,” said Steven Vollan, victim’s brother.

A sentencing date has not yet been announced.