MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Nichole Rice’s defense has filed a response to state prosecutors, in an ongoing dispute over whether Rice’s January murder trial should be delayed.

Prosecutors charged Rice with murder in the 2007 death of her then-roommate, Anita Knutson, who was found fatally stabbed in her northwest Minot apartment. The two were roommates at the time of Knutson’s death.

In its most recent filing obtained by Your News Leader, Sand Law Firm said the recently produced evidence from Knutson’s body is of “extreme importance” to the case.

Sand Law Firm also said it met requirements to address the departure of the case’s lead attorney, Philip Becher, who left the firm in early November.

Rice’s defense also said the results of an ongoing investigation into current Minot Police Chief John Klug “could very well reveal evidence about his propensity for truthfulness and honesty.”

Klug was a responding officer when Knutson was killed and was police chief when Rice was arrested. City reports indicated the investigation concerned internal matters involving morale, discipline and conduct, but have not publicly addressed the handling of any cases.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Minot. Rice is currently scheduled to stand trial beginning Jan. 6 in Grand Forks.

Related content: Continuing coverage of the Anita Knutson cold case

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