Courts asked to push back trial in Anita Knutson killing amid scheduling conflict

MINOT, ND. (KMOT) – The state and defense are asking the courts to push back the July trial dates in the case of the 2007 killing of Minot college student Anita Knutson, due to a likely scheduling conflict with another murder trial.

In a filing Wednesday, the attorneys said there is “additional good cause” to continue the July 15 trial date for Nichole Rice.

The 36-year-old Rice faces a murder charge in Knutson’s June 2007 death.

In the filing, the attorneys indicate that Judge Stacy Louser on Wednesday moved up the trial dates for Shawnee Krall, from November to late July, following a “speedy trial” request from Krall’s attorney.

The 31-year-old Krall faces a murder charge in the Dec. 2020 killing of his roommate, 29-year-old Alice Quierolo.

Krall has been in custody since Dec. 2020. He was supposed to stand trial in January, but Louser ordered for the trial to be moved to Morton County after a “substantial” number of jurors indicated they were aware of the case through media coverage and social media.

The filing states Krall’s trial would begin on either July 22 or July 29, creating a scheduling conflict for Ward County Deputy State’s Attorney Tiffany Sorgen, who is prosecuting both the Krall and Rice cases.

Last week, the state and defense agreed that it would be difficult for Rice to receive a fair trial in Ward County, following the results of a jury questionnaire.

Rice is represented by Philip Becher, of the Sand Law Firm. Krall is currently represented by Stormy Vickers, and has had several changes in representation throughout the case.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Judge Richard Hagar, who is overseeing Rice’s trial, had not officially ruled on the change of venue, and trial dates for both Rice and Krall had not changed on the North Dakota District Court website docket.

Related Content:

Continuing Coverage of Anita Knutson Cold Case

Previous Coverage of Shawnee Krall case:

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