North Fork woman enters 'no contest' plea in husband's death

Rebecca Braunig-Haag, the woman accused of killing her husband at their North Fork home in November 2005, entered a "no contest" plea to an amended charge of negligent homicide Friday.

She initially had been charged with deliberate homicide in the death of Von Stanley Haag, 60.

Along with the plea that, in effect, admits guilt to the lesser charge, her attorney Patrick Sherlock and Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan agreed to recommend a 10-year suspended sentence.

If District Judge Stewart Stadler accepts her plea and the recommended sentence, conditions of release will be set and she will be supervised throughout the 10 years.

However, if the judge thinks she should go to prison, Braunig-Haag will be allowed to withdraw her "no contest" plea and stand trial.

If tried on the deliberate homicide charge and found guilty, she could be sentenced to life or up to 100 years in prison. Two to 10 years could be added for use of a firearm.

The maximum sentence for the lesser charge of negligent homicide is 20 years in the Montana State Prison.

Braunig-Haag was 51 at the time she is accused of firing a bullet into Haag's chest.

She told investigators he threatened to burn down their home if she didn't accompany him on a trip back to Texas.

She and her husband had both retired from supervisory jobs with the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department a year or two before the shooting, and began spending more time in their home on Trail Creek. They also maintained a home in San Antonio.

The Nov. 7, 2005, argument over the Texas trip to attend his father's funeral escalated to the point where Braunig-Haag reportedly feared he would burn the home. She said he had poured gasoline throughout the house and threatened her as well.

That's when she allegedly shot him inside the home and ran to neighbors for help.

They contacted authorities, and Flathead County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation.

Braunig-Haag's $500,000 bond, set at the time of her arraignment, was reduced to $50,000 in January 2006 and she was released from jail. She has been free since then.

"This is a good resolution," Corrigan said Friday.

Evidence admitted into the court record lent credibility to her claim of self defense, Corrigan said, and "law enforcement does not think she needs to go to prison." She does not pose a threat to anyone at this point, he added.

Her sentencing is scheduled for May 24.