Plea? Father's Trial Shows Signs of a Deal

Lawyers representing the father of a 9-month-old infant who drowned last winter after her family's vehicle broke through the ice on Lake Minnetonka say an investigation into their client's background will reveal nothing to prevent possible plea negotiations.

The Star Tribune reported this week that a judge has signed off on a petition to review and confirm details of Jonathan Markle's personal history—including criminal, mental health and chemical dependency. Such investigations are often conducted in advance of plea negotiations, according to the paper.

Jonathan Markle was driving back from dinner across the ice and was near a channel underneath the Narrows Bridge when the family's SUV plunged into Lake Minnetonka last January. Four members of the Markle family were in the vehicle—including 9-month-old Tabitha. Despite numerous attempts to save the infant from freezing waters, Jonathan Markle was unable to free his daughter from her car seat.

Rescue divers executed a successful extraction, and Tabitha was on her way to the hospital after about 15 minutes under water. She died three days later.

Related posts:
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Father Charged with Vehicular Homicide in Connection With Daughter's Drowning
Father's Blood Sample Ruled Admissible in Vehicular Homicide Case
Jonathan Markle Appears in Court to Answer Vehicular Homicide Charge
Baby in Critical Condition After Family's SUV Breaks Through Ice on Lake Minnetonka

Markle's wife, a teacher with the Richfield school district, and a second daughter made it safely to shore thanks to nearby residents who heard the Markle family's screams for help.

Tests administered by a deputy with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office indicated Jonathan Markle's blood alcohol level was .13 about two hours after the accident—above the state's .08 threshold for driver intoxication.

Markle was charged about a month after the accident with criminal vehicular homicide, and he turned himself into authorities. He has been free on bond pending trial.

A motion by defense attorney's to throw out the blood alcohol test on the grounds it violated Markle's protection against unlawful search and seizure was denied by a judge earlier this summer. The motion was filed in conjunction with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that contained language suggesting law enforcement must obtain a search warrant prior to extracting a blood sample without consent.

Absent any developments surrounding a plea deal, Markle's trial is scheduled to start this fall.