Grand Forks Man Pleads Not Guilty to Officer Assault

A Grand Forks man accused of disarming and assaulting a Bismarck police officer has pleaded not guilty.

Authorities pulled Paul Smith over in February for not having license plates on a car that was later determined to be stolen.

During the stop, a fight broke out between Smith and the officer.

The officer’s gun came out of its holster and went off, hitting Smith in the leg.