Buxton, North Dakota, man pleads not guilty to attempted murder in trailer fire case

GRAND FORKS — A Buxton, North Dakota, man accused of tried homicide and different crimes pleaded not responsible to all his costs in court docket on Wednesday, March 15.

Jeffery Kollin Mundis, 29, waived his preliminary listening to, was arraigned and pleaded not responsible to Class A felony tried homicide. The cost has a most penalty of 20 years in jail and $20,000 in fines.

Mundis additionally pleaded not responsible to his remaining six costs, all Class C felonies: aggravated assault, terrorizing, stopping arrest, easy assault on a legislation enforcement officer and two counts of contact by bodily fluids on legislation enforcement. Not one of the costs have a compulsory minimal sentence.

Mundis is accused of assaulting Ashley Marie Johnson on Dec. 31 in a trailer in Emerado. Johnson was in a position to escape however later returned, discovering the again bed room on fireplace, in keeping with an affidavit within the case.

Johnson stated she tried to get Mundis to go away the trailer, however he refused.

“He then grabbed Johnson, pushed her right into a bed room, and held her to the mattress by her throat and advised her, ‘If I’m going to die, you’re going to die,’” the affidavit stated.

Emergency personnel have been dispatched to the scene at 10:39 p.m., and noticed the trailer “totally engulfed with smoke and flames,” the affidavit stated.

On scene, Mundis was advised to maneuver away from the fireplace, however he resisted and “spit blood and snot” within the officer’s face, the affidavit stated.

Mundis was ultimately handcuffed and arrested.

Throughout the arraignment, Leah Jo Viste, Mundis’ lawyer, requested to evaluation Mundis’ $75,000 money or surety bond.

Viste requested the court docket to think about both lowering the bond quantity or solely requiring 10% money or surety for Mundis to be launched.

Viste outlined elements akin to Mundis’ employment, connections to the realm and lack of current legal historical past – all components thought-about in setting bond.

“It’s been numerous years since Mr. Mundis has had any contact with the court docket,” Viste stated.

Rachel Egstad, representing the state, expressed considerations about public security, in addition to the protection of Mundis, because of his suspected psychological well being and alcohol points.

Romanick stated some elements of the incident outlined in court docket paperwork “are very regarding,” and denied the request to regulate circumstances in any means.

Mundis’ closing dispositional convention is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Might 25.