State rejects defense request to delay Anita Knutson murder trial

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – State prosecutors are asking the court to move forward with the trial of Nicole Rice, charged in the 2007 death of Anita Knutson, which is scheduled for January in Grand Forks.

Earlier this month, we reported that the Sand law firm had filed a motion to continue the Rice trial.

The firm said its reasons for asking for the extension included consultations with an expert on evidence on Knutson’s body, the departure of lead attorney Philip Becher from the firm and the ongoing investigation into the conduct of current Minot Police Chief John Klug during his tenure. Klug is a witness in the case and was working for the department when Knutson was killed, but only became police chief in 2020.

In a response filed Wednesday, the state said the evidence on Knutson’s body had no real significance. The state also said the law firm has plenty of time before the January trial to prepare for the case, and the investigation into Klug’s leadership of the police department is completely irrelevant to the question of the defendant’s guilt.

In their response, authorities also cited a statement from family spokesman Anita Knutson, who said they “do not believe” the defense is attempting to pursue the trial again. A family spokesman said the trial has taken an emotional toll on their family and they had already planned 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.

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