Roderick Munstis Found Incompetent to Stand Trial for the Murder of Ellen Munstis; Charges Subsequently Dismissed Without Prejudice

Concord, NH &– Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces an update regarding the charges against Roderick Munstis (age 80) for the murder of his wife, Ellen Munstis (age 74).

Mr. Munstis was arrested and charged with alternative counts of reckless and knowing second- degree murder in August 2019 after shooting his wife, Ellen Munstis, multiple times. Since his arrest, Mr. Munstis underwent a competency evaluation by the Office of the Forensic Examiner. Dr. Shannon Bader concluded that Mr. Munstis was not competent to stand trial and not restorable.

In light of the fact that Mr. Munstis was found incompetent to stand trial and not restorable, the law requires that the charges be dismissed without prejudice to the State. Today, the Rockingham County Superior Court entered such an order, and then dismissed the murder charges against Mr. Munstis in accordance with the law.

This matter was investigated by the Derry Police Department with the assistance of the New Hampshire State Police's Major Crime Unit.