State's Attorney L.L. Winn, of Whiteside county said today that Lyle Dingman, 31, Prophetstown veterinarian was being held in technical custody of Sheriff Roy Crook after he had changed his story of events surrounding the mysterious death of his 28 year old wife early Sunday. Winn said Dingman had admitted he had quarreled with hiswife in the bedroom of their home, after both had been drinking for several hours and that she fell over a bed and out an open window.

At an inquest Monday, Dingman testified he had found his wife's body, fully-clothes except for shoes, when he went out into the yard Sunday morning. At the inquest he said he could ascribe no motive for her death. The inquest was to be resumed today, having been continued pending a report by Dr. W.H. Palmer, Rockford patholigist who analyzed the contents of the woman's stomach.

The prosecutor said a lie detector was used yesterday in questioning Dingman, who accompanied officers to his home for an inspection of the grounds where his wife's body was found. Later, Winn stated, Dingman volunteered to tell his story to the prosecutor and Deputy Sheriff Charles Westendorf.

Dingman's latest version of events leading to his wife's death were told by Winn. He said the Dingmans had been drinking at a tavern Saturday night. Before leaving the place about 2 a.m. two unidentified friends of the couple said they would follow them home. Dingman, however, when driving home turned on to a side road to evade the pursuing machine.

When they reached home they went to their bedroom and continued drinking. A car drove up to the house and when his wife wanted to respond to the knock on the door, he protested. He turned off the lights in the bedroom and attempted to prevent his wife from going downstairs. A quarrel followed and Mrs. Dingman fell backwards over a bed and out an open window to the ground 14 feet below. Dingman went downstairs and into the yard calling for his wife but when he did not get a response he returned to the house and retired. He discovered his wife's body when he went into the yard Sunday morning.

Funeral services for Mrs. Dingman were to be held today. She was married to Dingman in 1930.

From the Freeport Journal Standard 22 March 1939

The case went to the jury on April 28, 1939 and he was convicted of manslaughter on April 29th. Various reports continued while the case was being appealed and he was out on bond during this time. Finally on November 2, 1940 the charges were dropped. The procescutor admitted there was a lack of evidence. Mr. Dingman was a free man... Laura is buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown.. Lyle Dingman is the son of Richard G. & Martha Dingman of Prophetstown. Lyle is on the 1930 Census living on Market with hi parents. His father is also a Veterinarian in Prophetstown.