Murder

West Fargo Mother Accused of Drowning Newborn Pleads Not Guilty

Ginny Lubitz entered pleas of not guilty to murder and attempted murder

FARGO, N.D. — The West Fargo woman accused of drowning her newborn child has pleaded not guilty. During a Cass County District Court hearing, 36-year-old Ginny Lubitz entered pleas of not guilty to murder and attempted murder. Court documents say Lubitz placed her newborn child face down in about an inch of water in her bathtub to cause his death…

Grandson Convicted Of Killing Grandparents In Paynesville In March

Gregory Scheel pleaded guilty in Stearns County District Court

Gloria & Willie Scheel, Gregory ScheelSTEARNS COUNTY, Minn. — A man has been convicted of killing his grandparents at a home he shared with them in central Minnesota. 33-year-old Gregory Scheel pleaded guilty in Stearns County District Court to two counts of first-degree murder. Scheel cried when he admitted to assaulting and murdering 93-year-old Willie and 80-year-old Gloria Scheel on…

Woman Accused of Bogus Native American Adoptions Turns Herself In

Betty Jo Krenz of Woodworth is accused of taking money for adoptions and never following through

STUTSMAN COUNTY, N.D. — A Jamestown area woman wanted for bogus adoptions of Native American children has turned herself in. 47-year-old Betty Jo Krenz of Woodworth is accused of taking money for adoptions and never following through. Several families say she used her background as a Spirit Lake social worker to produce phony adoption papers. Krenz told one woman that…

Mom Who Beat Son To Death After He Wet His Bed Gets 40 Years

Katrina Shangreaux of Porcupine pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder

PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, S.D. — A South Dakota woman accused of beating her 2-year-old son to death after he wet his bed has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. 30-old Katrina Shangreaux of Porcupine pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder in the July 2016 death of 2-year-old Kylen Shangreaux. She admitted assaulting the toddler with a studded belt….

State Supreme Court Rules Against Convicted Fargo Murderer Ashley Hunter

Hunter was found guilty in the stabbing death of Clarence Flowers and the hammer-killing of Samuel Traut

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Supreme Court rules that the double murder conviction of a Fargo man will stand. Ashley Hunter was found guilty in the stabbing death of Clarence Flowers and the hammer-killing of Samuel Traut three years ago. Hunter was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He was also convicted of arson for setting fire to…

Preliminary Hearing Delayed for Fargo Man Charged with Killing His Wife

Since Louis Averson is still hospitalized, his hearing will be continued on August 9

FARGO, N.D. — A Fargo man who allegedly killed his wife as part of a suicide pact did not appear in court today. Louis Averson, 85, is still hospitalized. His attorneys say he is not at a stage in his recovery to make a plea in court. Averson and his late wife Ila, 85, allegedly tried to kill themselves by keeping…

Court Appearance Set For Home Day Care Worker Accused Of Killing Baby

30-year-old Sarah Kortan is charged with second-degree murder in connection with last month's death

RED LAKE COUNTY, Minn. — A home day care provider in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota who is accused of killing a 2-month-old girl in her care is expected in court this week. 30-year-old Sarah Kortan is charged with second-degree murder in connection with last month’s death. She remains jailed without bail. A court appearance is scheduled Wednesday. An autopsy revealed…

Reward Offered For Information About Murder Of Hibbing Business Owner

Brian Nelson was stabbed and found dead in his house behind his store, The Bottle Shop

Brian NelsonHIBBING, Minn. — A $25,000 reward is being offered for information in the death of a northern Minnesota man. It was last July in Hibbing when 60-year-old Brian Nelson was stabbed and found dead in his house behind his store, The Bottle Shop. Authorities have made no arrests despite an extensive investigation. Police believe Nelson was killed sometime between…

Bail Set At $500,000 For Woman Accused Of Drowning Newborn

Ginny Lubitz is charged with murder and attempted murder

FARGO, N.D. — The West Fargo woman accused of drowning her newborn has had her bail set at $500,000. 36-year-old Ginny Lubitz is charged with murder and attempted murder for the May 5th death. Court documents say Lubitz placed her newborn child face down in about an inch of water in her bathtub to cause his death. Police say when…

Minnesota Woman To Face The Death Penalty In Florida Murder

Lois Riess is accused of murdering her husband and a Florida woman

FORT MYERS, Florida — Florida prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Lois Riess. The Minnesota woman is accused of murdering her husband and a Florida woman before being caught and arrested in Texas. A grand jury in Florida indicted the 56-year-old last month on a first-degree murder charge for the death of 59-year-old Pamela Hutchinson of Fort Myers. A…