Duluth man pleads guilty to killing ex who had no-contact order against him

A Duluth man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the murder of his ex-girlfriend, whom he strangled to death in March.

Dale John Howard, 25, pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder via domestic assault in the death of his former girlfriend, 27-year-old Allisa Vollan, on March 22.

Vollan was found dead inside Howard's apartment complex around 8 a.m. that day on the 30 block of East 5th Street. According to court documents, when officers arrived at the scene, Howard was seen hugging Vollan's lifeless body on the ground and "crying loudly." Vollan appeared to have a cut near her chin and blood dripping down her neck.

He was taken in to be interviewed and initially told officers his father picked him up from work the day before and dropped him off at his home, where he found Vollan watching TV. They allegedly spent time "cuddling" on the couch before he made plans to go to the bar with friends, which he said made Vollan angry with him, but later clarified to police she was just "grumpy."

In his initial interview with police, Howard claims he returned home after the bar wouldn't serve him because it was closing time. He claimed Vollan was asleep on the couch, still alive, but when he woke up hours later and went to check on her, he found her naked and not breathing. He first called his father before calling 911.

An autopsy by the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office concluded that Vollan's injuries were consistent with being smothered.

Vollan had an active domestic abuse no-contact order (DANCO) taken out against Howard due to an assault that happened earlier in March.

"Intimate partner violence is a serious issue we face in our community, and it affects individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds," said St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki. "It encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, occurring within a romantic or intimate relationship."

While the Minnesota Guidelines sentence following the guilty plea is 150 months in prison, as a part of the plea agreement, Howard agreed to an upward sentence of 240 months in prison because the existence of the DANCO is an aggravating actor.

Howard's sentencing has been scheduled for Oct. 14 at 8 a.m.

If you know anyone who is affected by domestic violence, you can find more information on services available here, via the Minnesota DPS. You can also call the Day One Crisis Hotline at 1-866-223-1111.

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