Accused of child molestation, bus aide now charged in death of wife

Updated: 4:30 p.m. | Posted: 7:00 a.m.

A former school bus aide on trial for child molestation was charged Friday in connection with the death of his wife.

Harvey Kneifl, 72, was on trial after being charged with 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors were about to wrap up final arguments in that case, but he didn't show up to court.

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Woodbury police found Kneifl's wife dead and Kneifel suffering from apparent self-inflicted wounds. He told police his wife had been suffering from Alzheimer's for four years and he thought he was helping her.

Kneifl now faces one count of second-degree murder.

Kneifl's attorney, Christopher Keyser, said police told him Julie Kneifl was found dead and that Kneifl was wounded.

In the molestation case, Kneifl was arrested two years ago after parents in the South Washington County School District reported that he'd groped children over their clothing while they were on the bus.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators reviewed security video from the bus, where Kneifl was allegedly seen touching 4- and 5-year-old girls in an "aggressive sexual manner."

The Associated Press provided additional reporting.