judge

Judge Jon Jensen Appointed to North Dakota Supreme Court

Jensen has been the presiding judge for the Northeast Central Judicial District since 2013

BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum has appointed Judge Jon Jensen to the North Dakota Supreme Court. Jensen will fill the vacancy left by Justice Carole Kapsner who is resigning on July 31 after serving on the bench since 1998. Jensen has been the presiding judge for the Northeast Central Judicial District since 2013. He’ll have to run for a full…

Former Circuit Court Judge to Announce Run for U.S. House

Current Republican U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem is running for governor

SOUTH DAKOTA — A former circuit court judge is planning to run for South Dakota’s U.S. House seat as a Democrat. Tim Bjorkman will announce his candidacy on Thursday. Bjorkman’s campaign says in a statement that he plans to deliver solutions to problems rather than promoting partisan squabbling. Secretary of State Shantel Krebs is competing with Dusty Johnson in the…

Prosecutors Say Former Wells County Sheriff is a Danger to Others

He's scheduled to be back in court in September

WELLS COUNTY, ND — A judge is allowing the former sheriff of Wells County to travel to South Dakota and Montana, if it’s work-related. The ruling was made during a bond hearing for Johnny Lawson who is charged with conspiracy to deliver drugs, bribery and other counts. Wells County State’s Attorney Kathleen Murray opposed the motion, saying Lawson was a…

Legal Dispute Between GOP Controlled Legislature and Gov. Dayton Continues

It's unclear when a decision may come

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — A judge is considering whether Gov. Dayton’s veto of the Legislature’s funding was unconstitutional. The bitter legal dispute between the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature had its first hearing in Ramsey County court. Dayton zeroed out the Legislature’s funding last month to force lawmakers to rework a $650 million tax bill and other measures. The…

Judge Convicts Fargo Man in Mapleton Gas Station Sex Assault

A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered before sentencing

  FARGO, ND — A district judge in Fargo has convicted a Fargo man in the sexual assault of an employee at a convenience store in Mapleton. Prosecutors say Abdulrahman Ali forced the female employee into a restroom at Gordy’s Travel Center in December 2015, claiming that she was his wife. Ali gave up his right to a jury trial…

Protesters Gathering in Wake of Yanez Not Guilty Verdict; Gov. Dayton, Sen. Klobuchar Speak Out

"This system continues to fail black people and they will continue to fail you all." Valerie Castille, mother of Philando Castille

ST. PAUL, Minn. — After five days of deliberation, Jeronimo Yanez was found not guilty on all counts in the shooting death of Philando Castile. Family members met with reporters after the court case came to a close. “This system continues to fail black people and they will continue to fail you all,” said Valerie Castille, mother of Philando Castille….

Judge Rejects Group’s Request to Add President Trump to DAPL Lawsuit

The prosecuting attorney is considering filing a separate lawsuit

  NATIONAL — A judge is not allowing President Trump to be one of the defendants in a lawsuit against the Dakota Access Pipeline. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg says the President would have to be sued under a separate lawsuit. The prosecuting attorney is considering this option. A group of Native Americans filing the lawsuit wants to add the…

The Ashley Hunter Trial: Guilty on All Counts

Ashley Hunter is found guilty for the murder of Clarence Flowers and Samuel Traut

FARGO, ND — Ashley Hunter has been found guilty in the murders of two Fargo men in 2015. Hunter is also guilty on an arson charge after he attempted to burn down one of the victim’s homes to cover up his crime. In under three hours, the jury found Ashley Hunter guilty of killing Clarence Flowers and Samuel Traut in…

The Ashley Hunter Trial: Prosecution, Defense Rests; Closing Arguments to Begin

Without presenting any witnesses, the defense rests just minutes after prosecution wraps up

FARGO, ND — The prosecution in the Ashley Hunter double-murder trial rests its case after nearly two weeks in court. But the defense responded with silence. Attorneys were seen quietly huddling around murder suspect Ashley Hunter. Without calling any witnesses to the stand, the defense’s turn to present their case came to an abrupt end. “Your honor, the state at…

Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Standing Rock Chairman

The lawsuit claimed Archambault threatened pipeline workers and interfered with pipeline work

BISMARCK, ND — A federal judge is dismissing a lawsuit from Dakota Access LLC against Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault, but it may not mean he is in the clear. The judge said the company failed to prove its claim that Archambault and four others caused more than $75,000 in damages for Dakota Access during the protests in…