Left: Julie Danielson. Right: Robert Munsell

A 30-year-old Ionia man has been sentenced in the death of his former girlfriend, Julie Danielson, 31, of Pierson.

Robert Michael Munsell pled guilty to second degree murder in her death.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s  deputies found the body of Danielson, when they responded to a domestic disturbance on Whitefish Woods Drive in Pierson Township about 3:58 a.m. Saturday morning, November 17, 2012. Munsell had reportedly called it in, saying that he had had an altercation with another man at the home, then left.

Police said his story was inconsistent, and that he was covered with blood. He finally confessed that he went to Danielson’s home and they argued. When she pushed him toward the door to leave, he slapped her and she fell to the floor and went unconscious.

Munsell then said he panicked, went upstairs and got a knife, and then went back downstairs and cut her throat. He said gave her a hug before he left, which explained the blood on him.

Danielson has twin sons, who were not home at the time of the murder.

Munsell was sentenced to a minimum of 37 years and 6 months, and a maximum of 75 years.

A 29-year-old Ionia man has been charged with the murder last weekend of a Pierson woman.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s  deputies found the body of Julie Danielson, 31, when they responded to a domestic disturbance on Whitefish Woods Drive in Pierson Township about 3:58 a.m. Saturday morning, November 17.

The suspect, Robert Michael Munsell, was arraigned on a charge of open murder on Monday, November 19, in 64B District Court in Stanton. A preliminary exam was set for November 27 at 1 p.m. Bond was denied, and he remains in the Montcalm County Jail.

WOODTV-8 reported that court records said Munsell made the 911 call from his home, and reported that he had an altercation with another male at the home, then left. Police said his story was inconsistent, and that he was covered in blood. He finally confessed that he went to Danielson’s home and they argued. When she pushed him toward the door to leave, he slapped her and she fell to the floor and went unconscious.

Munsell then said he panicked, went upstairs and got a knife, and then went back downstairs and cut her throat. He said he gave her a hug before he left, which explained the blood on him.

Danielson has twin sons, who were not home at the time of the murder.