A 40-year-old man in Minnesota has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for the brutal killing of his girlfriend last year. Matthew Scott Brenneman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for beating and strangling Danicka M. Bergeson to death in her apartment, just days after being released from jail for previous assaults against her.
As part of his plea agreement, Brenneman acknowledged two aggravating factors in the murder: killing Bergeson in a “zone of privacy” and showing “particular cruelty” by leaving her body to decompose in the home. The Hennepin County Prosecutor’s Office dropped additional charges, including first-degree murder, in exchange for his guilty plea.
Under the terms of the agreement, Brenneman will serve 23.75 years in a state correctional facility, an upward departure from standard sentencing guidelines due to the severity of the aggravating factors. Typically, offenders in Minnesota serve about two-thirds of their sentence, amounting to approximately 15 years in this case.
Following the plea hearing, prosecutors expressed satisfaction with the sentence, emphasizing its appropriateness for public safety and the severity of Brenneman’s actions. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized the impact of intimate partner violence on survivors and families, pledging continued aggressive prosecution of such cases.
David Bergeson, the victim’s father, expressed disappointment with the sentencing outcome, hoping for a stronger penalty closer to 30 years. He criticized the sentencing system, noting frustrations with the perceived leniency even for severe charges like first-degree murder.
Police discovered Bergeson’s body on July 8, 2023, in her Hopkins apartment after responding to reports of disturbance. Brenneman was found at the scene with self-inflicted injuries, indicating a suicide attempt. Notes found at the scene included apologies and confessions from Brenneman, revealing remorse and sorrow over the tragic events.
Brenneman had a history of domestic violence incidents and had been released from jail shortly before Bergeson’s death after pleading guilty to previous domestic assault charges against her.
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