WINDOM — A man convicted in absentia of second-degree unintentional murder remains at large, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday that a Cottonwood County jury has returned a verdict of guilty against Ralph Apmann on the single count of second-degree unintentional murder in the August 26, 2021 death of Juan Morales Rivera in Windom. Apmann was convicted at the conclusion of a week-long trial.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Apmann posted bail after being charged in the Aug. 26, 2021, death of Morales-Rivera. Apmann then failed to appear in court for the trial.

Apmann, 58, is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 230 pounds, with hazel eyes and bald/gray hair. BCA and Windom Police Department investigators believe Apmann is armed with a 9mm handgun and an AR-15 rifle, and that he may be in the Twin Cities metro area. If you have seen Apmann or know his whereabouts, DO NOT APPROACH. Please call 911.

According to the court records, Apmann had been drinking in a bar in Windom on August 25, 2021, where Morales Rivera was also present and drinking. Apmann eventually asked Rivera to play pool with him, and at about midnight, Apmann and Morales Rivera went outside the bar to smoke. An altercation ensued during which Apmann threw Morales Rivera to the ground and held Morales Rivera around the neck from behind until he lost consciousness. Apmann then walked outside the bar to the parking lot and left. Morales Rivera suffered numerous injuries, including injuries to his neck consistent with neck compression, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Ellison’s office accepted and prosecuted the case upon the request of Cottonwood County Attorney Nicholas Anderson. Assistant Attorney General John Gross led the prosecution, closely assisted by Anderson.