Watertown native pleads not guilty to charges he killed his wife

October 26, 2023

FARGO, N.D.–A Watertown native charged with murdering his wife has pleaded not guilty and will remain in jail on $1 million cash bail.

Thirty one year-old Spencer Moen of West Fargo was arrested in August after calling to report that his wife, Sonja, also a Watertown native, fell asleep in their bathtub and was unresponsive when he checked on her.

Investigators said Sonja Moen had significant bruising on the left side of her face and forehead and that her eyes appeared to be swollen shut. They also noticed bruising on the back of her hands, consistent with defensive injuries.

Spencer Moen said an argument started after she picked him up from golfing in Mapleton, North Dakota. He said they were both intoxicated and she tripped coming up the steps from the garage into the house, and “face planted.”

An autopsy showed that she died of blunt force trauma to the head and had at least one broken rib.

Moen remains in the Cass County Jail. His attorney asked the judge to reduce the $1 million bail. That request was denied.

His next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10.