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State rejects defense request to delay Anita Knutson murder trial
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State rejects defense request to delay Anita Knutson murder trial

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – State prosecutors are asking the court to keep the trial of Nichole Rice, charged in the 2007 death of Anita Knutson, as scheduled for January in Grand Forks.

Earlier this month we inform that Sand Law Firm filed a motion to continue Rice’s trial.

The firm said its reasons for requesting the continuance were consulting with an expert about the evidence on Knutson’s body, the departure of lead attorney Philip Becher from the firm and an ongoing investigation into the conduct of Minot’s current police chief, John Klug, while in office. Klug is a witness in the case and was with the department when Knutson was killed, but did not become police chief until 2020.

In a response filed Wednesday, the state responded that the issue of evidence on Knutson’s body is of no real consequence. The prosecution also claimed that the law firm has plenty of time between now and the January trial to prepare the case, and that the investigation into Klug’s management of the police department is completely irrelevant to the question of the defendant’s guilt.

In its response, the state also referenced a statement from a representative of Anita Knutson’s family, who said they were “incredulous” that the defense was trying to continue the trial again. The family representative said the trial has taken an emotional toll on their family and they have already made plans to attend the trial in Grand Forks.

The state also asked the court to schedule a hearing on the matter.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin Jan. 6 in Grand Forks.

Related content: Continuing coverage of the Anita Knutson cold case