ND - Anita Knutson, 18, murdered, Minot, 4 June 2007 *Roommate Arrested*

[ifindedout]

Nichole Rice trial to likely move out of Ward County

Ward County prosecutors and attorneys for the person charged with the 2007 killing of Anita Knutson have asked a judge to move the trial outside of Ward County.

www.kfyrtv.com

MINOT, N.D. (KFYR) - UPDATE (5/29/2024 at 7:15 p.m.): Prosecutors and the defense both agree that it would be unlikely that the woman accused of killing her college roommate in 2007 could get a fair trial in Ward County.

Nichole Rice is charged with murdering Anita Knutson, and her attorneys are seeking a change of venue.

Last month, attorneys sent out 120 juror questionnaires to Ward County residents. Prosecutors and Nichole Rice’s defense attorney say they hoped the 49-question document would narrow down jurors. It narrowed it down so much that they say the trial can’t happen in Ward County.

Ward County prosecutor Tiffany Sorgen and Rice’s attorney Philip Becher said answers from the joint questionnaire indicated at least 70 people needed to be eliminated from the jury pool.

“That seems like a lot more excusals than I had planned for,” said Judge Richard Hagar.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Last month the state and defense told the courts it was unlikely Rice would receive a fair trial in Ward County, following the results of a questionnaire sent out to potential jurors.

An order granting a change of venue was filed with the courts Friday, though it’s unclear where the trial will be moved, or when it will take place.

As of Friday afternoon the July 15 commencement of jury selection had not changed on the online court docket, but both the state and defense asked the courts this week to continue the trial dates.

Change of venue approved for trial in death of Anita Knutson

Last month the state and defense told the courts it was unlikely Nichole Rice would receive a fair trial in Ward County, following the results of a questionnaire sent out to potential jurors.

www.kfyrtv.com

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Seems the trial of Nicole Rice in the murder of roommate Anita Knutson in Minot may be nearing in North Dakota. Online KFYR TV June 27, 2024 article by Joe Skurzewski entitled ‘Records: Trial in Anita Knutson death moved to January in Grand Forks’:

Records: Trial in Anita Knutson death moved to January in Grand Forks

Online records indicate that jury selection would begin Jan. 6 in Grand Forks County.

www.kfyrtv.com

Also there is an earlier two-part episode of Cold Justice that features this case. They are called The Key to the Crime. Season 6 episodes 17 and 18 IIUC. It has aired again on Oxygen recently.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Online KFYR TV January 29, 2025 article by Joe Skurzewski entitled ‘Defense may call private investigator as expert in Anita Knutson death trial’:

Defense may call private investigator as expert in Anita Knutson death trial

The defense for the woman charged with killing her roommate in Minot in 2007 has filed an intent to call a private investigator as an expert witness at her March trial.

www.kfyrtv.com

Nicole Rice will be on trial in Grand Forks, North Dakota for the murder of her roommate Anita Knutson in Minot. IIUC a change of venue was previously granted. According to this article the trial is scheduled to begin March 17, 2025. M

 

[dotr]

By Joe Skurzewski Mar. 14, 2025 rbbm

Anita Knutson Cold Case: Twists and turns in the courtroom

From the arrest made in March 2022 to now, the case of State vs. Nichole Rice has taken many turns including delays, disputes over evidence and online surveys, and changes in an attorney and venue.

www.kfyrtv.com

''MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - Three years ago, Minot Police announced the arrest of Nichole Rice for murder, in the 2007 killing of her roommate Anita Knutson.

The case had gone cold for 15 years.

But the next three years would provide plenty of twists and turns in the courtroom.''

''Rice is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Jury selection is set to begin Monday in Grand Forks.''

Related Content: Continuing Coverage of Anita Knutson Cold Case

 

[dotr]

ND v. Nichole Rice: Toxic Roommate Murder Trial

Nichole Rice was found not guilty of murdering her roommate, Anita Knutson, 15 years after Knutson was found stabbed to death in their home.

www.courttv.com

Nichole Rice (L) is charged with the murder of her roommate, Anita Knutson (R). (Ward County Detention Center/Minot Police Department)
''Nichole Erin Rice, 37, is charged with felony murder in the death of Anita Knutson, who was found stabbed to death on June 4, 2007.

At the time of the murder, the two women lived together, though friends said the two had a strained relationship. One friend told police they recalled Rice telling Knutson, “‘One way or another I’m going to get you out of this house.”

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


**NEW TRIAL** Jury selection begins today in ND v. Nichole Rice. In 2007 18-year-old Anita Knutson was stabbed to death. At that time Knutson's roommate, Nichole Rice (then Nichole Thomas) was 19 years old. Fifteen years later, Rice was arrested. We expect opening statements tomorrow.



10:09 AM · Mar 17, 2025

 

[arielilane]

MINOT, ND (KXNET) — The judge in the Anita Knutson murder trial has approved expanded media coverage for the trial.

This means there will be a pool feed from the trial, allowing it to be broadcast or streamed live.

https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/judge-approves-pool-media-coverage-in-anita-knutson-murder-trial/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=local+news

3/14/2025

 

[arielilane]

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - Those who loved Anita Knutson had waited almost 15 years for answers to her 2007 death.

Then, there was a shocking revelation as police announce a break in the case.

In our continued look at the Anita Knutson cold case, we go back to March 16, 2022.

Anita Knutson Cold Case: Break in case leads to 2022 arrest

“Finally, with the help of Cold Justice, we were able to move forward and regain focus.” In March of 2022, Minot Police announced the arrest of Nichole Rice in the 2007 death of Anita Knutson. But the case was far from over.

www.kfyrtv.com

3/13/2025

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The trial begins Monday, March 17 in Grand Forks.

STREAM: Nichole Rice trial

For trial updates, click here.

www.kfyrtv.com

 

[arielilane]

LIVE: Roommate Murder Mystery — ND v. Nichole Rice — Day One​

Nichole Rice is standing trial for the 2007 murder of her roommate, Anita Knutson, after a 15-year investigation led to her arrest in 2022. Prosecutors allege Rice fatally stabbed Knutson in their Minot, North Dakota, apartment. The trial, relocated to Grand Forks County due to concerns over finding an impartial jury, is set to last three weeks. If convicted, Rice faces life in prison for the brutal killing. Stay tuned for live coverage as this long-awaited trial unfolds.

 

[arielilane]

@My_Dakotan


Update this morning: Pool of 50 Jurors will be narrowed down today to 12 and 4 alternates. Defense may try to file another continuation to postpone trial, but if that doesn’t happen expect opening statements late this afternoon or early Wednesday


10:04 AM · Mar 18, 2025

https://twitter.com/x/status/1901998201575559679

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson

Judge Richard Hagar denied defense motion to dismiss due to Brady violation. Judge finds there was no suppression by the state.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6Q2rD9SGJFg



4:24 PM · Mar 18, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Before the jury is brought in the defense is motioning to dismiss the case. They are citing "Bombshell" Brady violations. They say they got an investigator's report yesterday.



3:59 PM · Mar 18, 2025


Here is Nichole Rice today. She was 19 years old when her college roommate was killed. 15 years later, Rice was arrested.




4:02 PM · Mar 18, 2025


Judge is going to take 12 minutes (yes he said 12 minutes) to consider the defense motion.


Judge Richard Hagar denied defense motion to dismiss due to Brady violation. Judge finds there was no suppression by the state.


4:24 PM · Mar 18, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


SUPER QUICK opening statement by the prosecution. Just a few minutes. Bullet points: Bad blood between the two roommates.Living situation "highly toxic".Rice allegedly stabbed her twice in the chest on June 3, 2007.



5:01 PM · Mar 18, 2025


Defense opening: Attorney brings up the TV show Cold Justice episodes on this case, saying the state only charged after the national publicity. Defense points to a third party as the possible killer - Devin Hall. "That's where all the fingers point to in this case."




5:05 PM · Mar 18, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Continuing coverage of the trial:​

Week One (newest first):

• UPDATE: Jury selected for Nichole Rice trial
• UPDATE: Judge denies motion to toss out murder charge in Nichole Rice trial, opening arguments set
• Jury selection begins in Nichole Rice trial

Pre-Trial (newest first):

• State, defense in Nichole Rice case dispute witness testimony ahead of trial
• Judge approves media access for Court TV, local news outlets for Nichole Rice trial
• Judge weighing media access, remote testimony for witness in Nichole Rice trial

Looking back at the Anita Knutson Cold Case:​

Part One: Anita Knutson Cold Case: Community rattled by teen’s killing

Part Two: Anita Knutson Cold Case: Family, friends continue push for answers

Part Three: Anita Knutson Cold Case: Break in case leads to 2022 arrest

Part Four: Anita Knutson Cold Case: Twists and turns in the courtroom

MORE: Continuing Coverage of Anita Knutson Cold Case

STREAM: Nichole Rice trial

For trial updates, click here.

www.kfyrtv.com

3/17/2025

Rice is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson

Our new trial, ND v. Nichole Rice resumes for day two at 1 pm CT/2 pm ET. The judge gave the defense the morning to depose a state witness.

Background of the case in the description of the live stream: https://youtube.com/watch?v=QCxoxbv1hyc

https://twitter.com/x/status/1902341198871670979

 

[arielilane]

March 21, 2025
Roommate Murder Mystery — ND v. Nichole Rice — Day Four


William May is on the stand in the Nichole Rice trial. He testified they were dating or in a "situationship". One night at a house party Nichole confessed to killing Anita Knutson, according to May. The defendant keeps shaking her head and staring him down.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1903087750712267071

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Defense rested today after calling one witness. All that talk about Devin Hall being the logical suspect, motioning the judge to allow Hall to testify virtually, the judge granting their motion and then the defense never called him.



1:21 PM · Mar 25, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson

LIVE at 8:30 am CT/9:30 am ET: ND v. Nichole Rice resumes. They are in the defense case. The state rested yesterday afternoon. The defense began with the first witness, an investigator, and he is still on the stand this morning.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1904519765122748452