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A Fish Lake Township man was sent to St. Cloud Correctional Facility this week, to serve two consecutive sentences for second degree murder and attempted murder, in connection with the 2023 shooting death of Sarah Jane Carda. 

The second degree murder carries a term of 284 months. The sentence for attempted murder was 131 months and the two are consecutive.

On October 6, 2023, authorities arrived at the rural Fish Lake Township house shared by the victim and defendant after a caller to 9-1-1 reported a loud verbal dispute happening around mid-day.  A Chisago County Sheriff Deputy awaited the arrival of special teams when he was unable to immediately gain entry. He tried to communicate with the man and woman inside. He was shot at through a window.  

The armed subject, Mike Larry Carda was named in a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO) and was prohibited from firearms possession. A drone camera sent into the home provided video that the victim had been shot, and hours later, Mike Carda was apprehended in the home. 

Carda, now 41, entered an Alford Plea which acknowledges there is sufficient evidence that he would be found guilty in a trial. Carda’s sentencing before Judge Seabrooks II was January 22.

Carda has been held on $2 million bail since his arrest October 6, 2023, mostly in the Washington County Jail. 

Judge Seabrooks II also ordered Carda to pay restitution of $6,306 which is subject to being revised.

There is a hotline if you feel unsafe in your home or have questions about protective measures, 1-800-799-7233.  If you are not able to speak but are experiencing a physical threat you can text 9-1-1 and local systems can connect non-verbally.

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