Suspect’s lawyer in a case of murder of almost 20 years says that the position was the result of ‘half Circus’-Inforum

Grand Forks – prosecutors say that the evidence discovered over the years helped them break the cold case of a murdered university student.

Nichole Rice’s defense, 37, calls him a “condemnation of the media.”

Opening statements were heard on Tuesday, March 18 at the Nichole rice murder trial in Grand Forks. RICE is accused of killing his colleague’s roommate almost two decades ago in Minot. The trial was transferred to Grand Forks due to advertising prior to the trial.

Of the almost 150 possible jurors, most had never heard about the case.

The prosecutors pointed out what they believe is a clear motive for why Rice allegedly murdered Anita Knutson, 18, her friend and roommate.

“There was bad blood between these two girls,” said Tiffany Sorgen from the Ward County State Prosecutor’s Office in his opening statement.

Rice’s lawyers argue that the police overlooked other potential suspects, including a 17 -year -old Montana boy who said the murderer belonged to him.

“This is a sensationalized case of the media, and that is the person they want: the fourth partner … that is sold,” said Rick Sands, a defense lawyer of Rice, in his opening statement.

Rice’s arrest in March 2022 occurred shortly after a national crimes show outlined the case, which the Minot Police had previously called a cold case.

“Nichole was accused after a national media circus descended to Minot,” Sands said.

However, the prosecutor described the investigation as an effort of “turtle and hare.” She said the detectives continued to review the statements made over the years, which helped break down Rice’s alibi for the night Knutson was killed. Police said the scene was staged to look like a robbery, but just someone with a key of the apartment could have done so.

“The police took the time to make sure we had the right person,” said Sorgen.

Rice’s lawyer admitted that police work at the beginning of the case was solid, admitting that Rice had always been suspicious.

“Those are good officers and worked this very hard case, and they continued with many people and did not charge Nichole, they did not accuse Nichole because he did not,” Sands said.

The State plans to call more than two dozen witnesses, including Rice’s ex -boyfriend, to testify that he supposedly confessed while he was drunk.

“You’re going to listen to whispers from the past,” said Sorgen.

The trial is expected to last until next week.

Matt Henson is a reporter/photographer/winning editor of the Emmy Award for Wday. Before joining Wday in 2019, Matt was the main anchor in WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.