GUILTY ID - Chad Entzel, died in 'house fire', shot 2 times, 29 Dec 2019 - 2 Jan 2020, Bismarck ID *wife arrested*

[Snoopster]

I can't believe there isn't a thread for this. I'm sorry if I missed it.
Trial underway for Chad's wife.
Chad was shot 2 times. and his house was set on fire.
His wife is facing trial right now. She had a boyfriend who took a plea and agreed to testify against her.

Furnace calls, life insurance highlight testimony in Nikki Entzel murder conspiracy trial

 

[Snoopster]

More links...

Hours of police interview shown in murder-arson conspiracy trial; investigators say it shows series of lies

Deputy details how Entzel investigation shifted from suicide to murder conspiracy

Nikki Entzel trial: October 3, 2022

Note to self: Don't kill spouse if I'm going to be lazy. If I'm going to pretend death by fire, I should at least get it right. I shouldn't shoot him and then start a weak fire that will only prove that he was dead befor the fire started. And don't leave shotgun pellets in the wall above the bed.
Just sayin'.

 

[Snoopster]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1577082583720017923

elections of the full extractions from phones found at the crime scenes were displayed, including a photograph of Nikki Entzel and Cassandra Howard, Earl’s daughter, as well as romantic messages between Earl and Nikki. Web searches from the phone were also brought up, including searches for travel sites and Mandan Funeral homes (these were notably searched for before Nikki would have known of Chad’s death).

 

[savagewoman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1577082583720017923

Thank you for starting this thread. I've been watching bits and pieces on court TV. I did catch the Google search for funeral homes before he was found dead. IMO that was almost laughable. Crazy. She should have pleaded. Also it is interesting watching lawyers sitting all the time. It changes the dynamics in the court room.

 

[Snoopster]

Thank you for starting this thread. I've been watching bits and pieces on court TV. I did catch the Google search for funeral homes before he was found dead. IMO that was almost laughable. Crazy. She should have pleaded. Also it is interesting watching lawyers sitting all the time. It changes the dynamics in the court room.

Thanks.
I'm still surprised that this case wasn't already here on WS. (and I'm typing this with a sliced finger. (I am a dolt! My spouse likes to keep our knives super sharp. You'd think I'd be more careful.)

 

[savagewoman]

Nikki Sue Entzel verdict: guilty

guilty on all 3 counts
"After two hours of deliberation, a jury found Nikki Sue Entzel guilty of conspiring to murder her husband Chad, conspiring to commit arson at the couple’s home, and conspiring to tamper with evidence."

IMO
Very fast trial. defense: no opening statement and no witnesses called. 10 minute closing statement that he mentioned her BF's name lots (he pled guilty already and did not testify). Strange. Maybe appeal on ineffective counsel.
Why didn't she plea.

 

[Snoopster]

Nikki Sue Entzel verdict: guilty

guilty on all 3 counts
"After two hours of deliberation, a jury found Nikki Sue Entzel guilty of conspiring to murder her husband Chad, conspiring to commit arson at the couple’s home, and conspiring to tamper with evidence."

IMO
Very fast trial. defense: no opening statement and no witnesses called. 10 minute closing statement that he mentioned her BF's name lots (he pled guilty already and did not testify). Strange. Maybe appeal on ineffective counsel.
Why didn't she plea.

Yes, it was a very strange defense, wasn't it? I mean why bother going through the trial? Why not just plead guilty?
I suspect there will be an appeal too.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Sentencing hearing in Bismarck murder-arson case delayed

Now, Nikki’s attorney Thomas Glass asked to push back the sentencing so a court-ordered psychological evaluation can be completed.

www.kfyrtv.com

 

[JerseyGirl]

A recap of Bismarck’s murder-arson conspiracy trial before Friday’s sentencing hearing

Last October a jury found Nikki Entzel guilty of conspiring with a Canadian man named Earl Howard to murder her husband Chad Entzel in what prosecutors say was a scheme to collect on insurance.

www.kfyrtv.com

The sentencing hearing will take place Friday Feb. 17, at 1:30 p.m.

 

[Snoopster]

A recap of Bismarck’s murder-arson conspiracy trial before Friday’s sentencing hearing

Last October a jury found Nikki Entzel guilty of conspiring with a Canadian man named Earl Howard to murder her husband Chad Entzel in what prosecutors say was a scheme to collect on insurance.

www.kfyrtv.com

The sentencing hearing will take place Friday Feb. 17, at 1:30 p.m.

Earl Howard entered a plea agreement, and a judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison. He did not testify at Nikki’s trial.

Nikki’s attorney Thomas Glass only addressed the jury during closing arguments. He asked them to consider why the state did not call Earl Howard to the stand.

These two weren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.
And the defense lawyer should be disbarred for that terrible defense. (Not that they wouldn't have been found guilty, but he clearly did not put on a proper defense.

 

[savagewoman]

Justice Bahr sentences Bismarck woman to life for conspiring to kill husband, burn home
SBM
Justice Douglas Bahr sentenced 41-year-old Nikki Entzel to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

She must serve at least 85 percent of her sentence before she’s eligible for parole. That means she must serve at least 36 years and 105 days before she can be released. After that, she’s also subject to three years probation and two additional suspended sentences. If she violates parole, she would have to complete an additional 15 years in prison.

The sentencing hearing was one year and three days after a judge sentenced co-conspirator Earl to 25 years in prison for his role in the crimes.