Fargo  (AP)  A Fargo man accused of killing his girlfriend by causing her to tumble down a flight of the stairs has been acquitted of murder and two others charges.

(Photo, Forum News Service, media pool)

KFGO reports that 29-year-old Cody Plumlee was convicted on lesser counts of theft, reckless driving, and giving false information to police. Judge Wade Webb sentenced Plumlee to three years in prison followed by two years of probation.

Plumlee was accused of pushing his girlfriend down a flight of stairs in December 2020. He claimed that he was defending himself after she struck him in the head with a frying pan. Kirsten Knaus died about two weeks later.

The jury was made up of 11 women and one man. Deliberations lasted about seven hours.