Charge: Rift 'over money and fidelity' preceded Maple Grove man killing wife

A 54-year-old man was in court Monday on charges that he fatally shot his wife in their Maple Grove home.

John M. Wiseman was charged Friday in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree intentional murder in connection with the death of Yang Liu last Tuesday.

Bail was set at $1 million with conditions, and Wiseman remains jailed as of Monday afternoon.

"He's presumed innocent," defense attorney Ryan Pacyga said after the hearing. "We are conducting our own investigation, and we'll have more to say later in time."

Police were called by Wiseman to the home in the 8600 block of Quarles Road just after 4 p.m. and found the 40-year-old woman dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

Wiseman was arrested and then booked into jail about 10 hours later.

According to the criminal complaint:

Wiseman called 911 about 4 p.m. and said his wife was dead but did not mention that she had been shot.

Officers arrived and determined that Liu had been shot once while on her back.

Police searched the home and located $5,000 in cash and a passport hidden in a television antenna box. They also located a letter in the home indicating that Wiseman met with an estate planner in mid-February.

Multiple witnesses reported that the couple "had a volatile relationship characterized by disputes over money and infidelity," the complaint read.

One witness told authorities that Wiseman wanted a divorce but was unwilling to divide their money and property equally because he "earned his," the complaint continued.

Wiseman "has many liquid and nonliquid assets" and also owns homes in China and Nevada, the complaint continued.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482