1997 Theft Count Dropped Against Imprisoned Bernie Tiede

A 1997 theft charge has been dropped against an ex-mortician sentenced to 99 years to life in prison for killing a wealthy Texas widow and hiding her body in a freezer.

Bernie Tiede in April was resentenced for his 1999 murder conviction in the fatal shooting of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent of Carthage. A judge Monday decided the lingering theft count violated Tiede's right to a speedy trial.

Attorneys are appealing Tiede's latest sentence.

He originally received a life term for killing Nugent, but was temporarily freed in 2014 after the original prosecutor said he believed Tiede deserved a lesser sentence.

New prosecutors this year used information from the theft indictment and said Tiede stole millions of dollars from Nugent.

A 2011 movie called "Bernie" starred Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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