Lyle manhunt suspect pleads not guilty

A Lyle man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County Court to charges that he hid in a cornfield with a shotgun and led authorities on a three-hour manhunt.

Jansen

Brian Jerome Jansen, 42, pleaded not guilty to two felonies: second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a short-barrel shotgun, and two gross misdemeanors for fourth-degree assault of an officer and obstructing the legal process.

According to the court complaint, Jansen emerged from the cornfield with the barrel of his shotgun in his mouth. He refused to drop the gun after multiple orders from officers; however, Mower County Deputy Jason Bresser moved close enough and found an opportunity to fire a taser at Jansen from 15 feet, according to the complaint. Jansen allegedly fell backward and fired a shot over his shoulder, got back to his feet and pointed the shotgun at Bresser’s midsection, according to the complaint. Bresser said he believed Jansen would have killed him, so Bresser fired his rifle, which caused Jansen to drop the shotgun. Jansen was not struck by a bullet in the scuffle.

The fiasco began at about 2:30 p.m. on July 11, when Jansen called a neighbor for a ride because a tire on his bike was flat. According to the complaint, Jansen re-emerged from his home with a shotgun and was fumbling with the shells while trying to load them. The neighbor mentioned Jansen appeared to be intoxicated and upset, so he drove away from the home but soon after heard two gunshots and called 911.

A deputy arrived several minutes later and saw Jansen sitting on a Quonset hut with a gun, but Jansen walked into the cornfield when ordered to drop the gun, according to the complaint. Jansen did not re-emerge for nearly three hours, after which he was arrested.

Authorities took Jansen to Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin where he was treated for a minor wound and then placed him in the Mower County jail.

Jansen’s pretrial is set for Sept. 6. He is held in the Mower County jail on $250,000 bail.

Mower County

In Your Community: County’s Harren Gjersik honored

Mower County

Convictions: Nov. 20-27

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

MnDOT’s annual Name a Snowplow contest returns for fourth year

Agriculture

Online applications now open for Minnesota’s 2024 Industrial Hemp Program

News

Emblems panel won over by call of the loon as state bird to grace Minnesota seal

News

Minnesota cities grapple with costs of removing PFAS from drinking water

LeRoy/Ostrander Cardinals

Knights charge past Cardinal girls

Mower County

Austin man suffers life threatening injuries from early morning rollover

Mower County

Austin police looking for woman who stole from business

Mower County

City Council moves Austin Utilities service expansion out of work session

Education

Bed bugs discovered at AHS, steps taken to treat the issue

Mower County

Dazzling holiday: Mayor King helps judge decorating contest at Comforcare

News

Law enforcement identify man killed in landslide at Minnesota state park

News

OxyContin maker’s bankruptcy deal goes before the Supreme Court, with billions of dollars at stake

News

Israel orders evacuations as it widens offensive but Palestinians are running out of places to go

News

Bowling Green to take on Minnesota in Quick Lane Bowl, Gophers seek seventh consecutive bowl win

News

‘Pick it up’: New Minnesota law aims to curb litter left on ice

News

Jackson leads Blue Devils to a win over Mesabi Range

Mower County

A home for women: Bright Life House will be a sober house filling a need in Austin

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

News

Climate contradictions key at UN talks. Less future warming projected, yet there’s more current pain

Mower County

Caution paramount as ice season gets underway

Mower County

First United Methodist to host organ concerts