ROCHESTER, Minn. – A former Pine Island man, now living in Winona, pleaded guilty to charges from a 10-hour stand-off with police in Pine Island. Technically it was a Norgaard plea. Michael Steven Molitor, 38, admitted responsibility but claimed no memory of what happened. Molitor said he had been drinking heavily before the incident – an entire 1.75-liter bottle. The criminal complaint alleged that Molitor had a military-style AR-15 rife and fired 20- plus rounds from a south Pine Island residence around which police had established a perimeter. Because of the Norgaard-qualified plea, some counts against Molitor likely will be dismissed. It’s a matter to be weighed by Olmsted County Judge Joseph Chase. The original counts:
> First-degree assault using deadly force against police.
> Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
> Terroristic threats.
> Committing a crime while wearing body armor.
Earlier: Saga of a 10-hour armed stand-off