Erickson's request for visits from wife denied

A former Moorhead fire marshal convicted of beating his wife will not be allowed to see her in supervised visits.

Clay County District Court Judge Galen Vaa rejected a request Monday from Todd Erickson to have his wife, Susan, visit him prior to his prison sentencing June 13.

However, Vaa did agree to allow Susan Erickson to have telephone contact with her husband before sentencing.

Vaa found Todd Erickson guilty May 7 of felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and making terroristic threats to his wife.

He was accused of beating his wife and threatening her with a gun Jan. 26. He faces up to 12 years in prison.

After the trial, a judge ordered Susan Erickson to have no contact with her husband until the court agreed to it.

However, Clay County Attorney Lisa Borgen said Monday that Susan Erickson had contacted her husband by phone by posing as "Alyssa."

Borgen objected to the request to allow Susan Erickson to visit her husband.

"I've never had a case where the victim of an assault wanted to have contact with the abuser before the sentencing," she said. "I'm at a loss."

In court, Susan Erickson denied she talked to her husband under a false name.

She asked Vaa to allow her and her young children to see Todd Erickson to comfort and reassure them. "I think it's important that they see him," she said in a trembling voice.

"I need to be with them to give them the strength that things are going to be OK."

Vaa gave permission to Todd Erickson to talk to his wife three times a week by telephone, but he rejected the request for personal visits.

"I don't feel it's appropriate," he said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Cole Short at (701) 241-5557