North Dakota

Grand Forks murder suspect refuses to appear in court

Published

3 weeks ago

October 29, 2024

Press Room

Grand Forks murder suspect refuses to appear in court

GRAND FORKS — Prosecutors are calling the beating death of a Grand Forks man murder.

The accused killer is calling it self-defense.

Donald “DJ” Bartlette, 45, was supposed to make his first court appearance on Monday, Oct. 28, to face a murder charge, but the jail staff said he refused to leave his cell.

According to court documents, Tony Kiehl, 49, and Bartlette are seen on surveillance video going into Kiehl’s first-floor apartment at Cherry Heights just after 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Bartlette is seen leaving the apartment about 30 minutes later with blood on him.

Nicholas Wride-Arnold

Grand Forks County Correctional Center

About an hour later, detectives say Bartlette returned to the apartment with Nicholas Wride-Arnold, 35.

Police say the men leave again and Bartlette goes outside and sits at a picnic table, where he told someone he knew he just beat someone up “pretty bad,” but claimed he had to because the person came at him with a knife, according to court documents.

Kiehl’s girlfriend found her boyfriend’s body at about 9 p.m. Thursday and called police.

Wride-Arnold was arrested later that evening inside an upstairs apartment.

Bartlette was arrested on Friday, Oct. 25, when police said he made several self-defense claims before asking for a lawyer.

Inside the apartment, police said they found a bloody knife that had a 5-inch blade, along with two bloody coffee table legs that had been broken off, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Kiehl died from blunt force trauma to the head. The medical examiner also noted cuts from a knife.

Grand Forks police said they can’t comment on a potential motive other than they have a “working theory.”

They also would not comment on claims by Kiehl’s sister that Bartlette had attacked Kiehl a few weeks earlier.

Bartlette was ordered to make a court appearance on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

A GoFundMe has been set up

to help Kiehl’s family plan a funeral and help his family travel from Texas to North Dakota.

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.

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North Dakota

Cass County Deputy being investigated by the ND BCI resigns

Published

1 hour ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Cass County Deputy being investigated by the ND BCI resigns

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy who is under investigation by the the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has resigned from the department.

Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner says he was contacted by the BCI in September saying they were initiating an investigation into Deputy Carson Quam for alleged criminal activity. Jahner says the Sheriff’s Office was unaware of any criminal activity Quam was potentially involved with.

On November 21, the Sheriff’s office announced that Quam is no longer an employee of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Jahner says the information was not released in September because it was an active and ongoing investigation from another agency.

“Any time criminal allegations are made against one of my employees, my Office will always collaborate with the investigating and prosecuting agencies to assist throughout the investigation and potential prosecution, working to ensure the integrity of the case. If criminal activity is substantiated, it will not be tolerated. My Office will always strive through rigorous background checks, department training, and accountability to put the best deputies in our communities to protect and serve our citizens,” said Sheriff Jahner.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says it is unable to comment further pending investigation and review by the Grand Forks and Cass County States Attorney’s Offices. Valley News Live will continue to follow this situation as it develops.

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North Dakota

Johnston leads Loyola Marymount against North Dakota after 27-point outing – WTOP News

Published

9 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (2-2) at Loyola Marymount Lions (1-2) Los Angeles; Friday, 10 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Loyola Marymount…

North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (2-2) at Loyola Marymount Lions (1-2)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Loyola Marymount hosts North Dakota after Will Johnston scored 27 points in Loyola Marymount’s 77-71 loss to the Saint Louis Billikens.

Loyola Marymount finished 12-19 overall with an 8-8 record at home during the 2023-24 season. The Lions averaged 11.9 assists per game on 25.9 made field goals last season.

North Dakota finished 18-14 overall a season ago while going 7-8 on the road. The Fightin’ Hawks averaged 75.3 points per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 32.6% from 3-point range last season.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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© 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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North Dakota

Snow gives wildfire responders first chance to catch breath in months

Published

17 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Snow gives wildfire responders first chance to catch breath in months

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – First responders finally have a chance to catch a breath after an intense couple of months.

Hunter Noor with the North Dakota Forest Service said the snow is bringing some much-needed moisture to dry areas in the state. He said first responders and volunteers who have been working since October to manage the fires hope the snow continues because it could mean the end of a historic wildfire season.

“I’d like to say we are done, but I’m going to knock on wood when I say it, because you never know what Mother Nature’s going to throw at you. So, December— it could warm back up to 40, 50 degrees, you could have another wind event and see more fires— but looking at the forecast, looking at what they’re predicting, it looks like we’re going to slide into the winter season, hopefully pretty quietly,” Noor said.

He said more precipitation should help keep any potential fires at bay.

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