“A nearly two-decade-old murder case is back in the spotlight as the trial of Nichole Rice is now underway in Grand Forks. Rice is accused of murdering her college roommate, Anita Knutson, in Minot back in 2007.
During opening statements on Tuesday, prosecutors pointed to Rice’s alleged motive, describing ‘bad blood’ between the two roommates. They also claim Rice staged the crime scene to look like a break-in, but only someone with a key could have accessed the apartment.
The defense, however, argues that police overlooked other suspects, including a 17-year-old boy from Montana who claimed the murder weapon was his. Rice’s attorneys are calling the case a ‘media conviction’, suggesting her 2022 arrest came shortly after a national crime show profiled the case.
Prosecutors say years of evidence review helped them break down Rice’s alibi, while the defense insists she was always a suspect but was never charged due to a lack of evidence.
The state plans to call over two dozen witnesses, including Rice’s ex-boyfriend, who claims she confessed to the murder while drunk.
The trial is expected to last through next week.”
