The chief did not get into details about what led them to Rice or a motive. On Wednesday, the Minot Police Department announced that Nichole Rice had been taken into custody and charged with Felony Intentional Murder. P*@ T* Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old Minot State University student when she was stabbed to death. Tx>U5hS*@Ut'9 T*A 18-year-old Anita Knutson was a student at Minot State. Nichole Rice to make initial appearance Thursday on charge in 2007 killing of Anita Knutson. Nicole Rice (nickel) See Photos. Dallas is related to Rory William Rice and Sandra Marie Rice as well as 3 additional people. Page 6 of 1295. Becher also said ticketing information from Amtrak indicated the man had arrived in Minot from Montana the day before and suggested he could have been present to commit the murder. Rice, then Nichole Thomas, was 19. Rice's story about the last time she saw Knutson also kept changing, he said. She was arrested at the Minot Air Force Base, where she works, the Minot Daily News reports. Nicholes reputation is that she was hot-tempered and reactionary. MINOT, N.D. (KFYR) UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: Minot Police said they have arrested 34-year-old Nichole Rice, a former roommate of Knutson's, on a AA-felony charge of murder, in Knutson's death. Profile. 'It actually had me laughing and it allowed you to let your guard . Minot Police Chief John Klug said in a press conference following Rices arrest that Cold Justice, a television series featuring detectives who travel to small towns and investigate unsolved murders, had a hand in piecing together evidence that local law enforcement already had. Welcome to Nichole Thomas and Dallas Rice's Wedding Website! She was scheduled to make her first court appearance on March 17, 2022. 1111. Carmen Asham, Det. Reached by phone, Rice's father declined to comment. At a press conference on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Minot Police announced the arrest of 34-year-old Nichole Rice. P &*@ T McHenry County court records show that Nichole Rice, 34, who has been charged with the 2007 murder of her roommate Anita Knutson, 18, failed to appear in court in 2012. 1 0 obj P*@ T See Photos. Items near the window were not disturbed, suggesting the window was not used to enter the apartment, according to the complaint. The woman accused of murdering her roommate has pleaded not guilty. P*PTI QeT Subscribe to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox, RAND to USAF: Dont Take GBSD Support for Granted, Job Service Offers Assistance to Outlying Communities. Anita Knutson was found stabbed to death in her home when her father asked for a wellness check because he hadn't heard from her in a few days, according to KXMB. Cold Justice is a true-crime TV show that airs on Oxygen produced by Dick Wolf. Prosecutors suspect Knutson was killed either June 2 or June 3, 2007, according to the complaint. Nicole Rice (Nicole Rice) See Photos. I wish we could have solved this sooner, but at the same time Im glad to say that we have the person responsible for the murder of Anita Knutson in custody.. Knutson's mother, Sharon Knutson, was reached by The Forum on Thursday at her home in Butte, North Dakota. |jT |*bT Over time, things start to develop. Nichole Erin Rice, 34, appeared Thursday, Sept. 8, in Ward County District Court on a Class AA felony murder charge in connection with the 2007 death of her 18-year-old roommate, Anita Knutson. Nothing appeared to be missing from the apartment, but a slashed screen from Anitas bedroom window was found on the ground outside. |T Knutsons body was found by her father in the northwest Minot apartment she shared with Rice. 2. "My heart goes out to the family," Klug said. P*px>]Qp*@ ( . Nicole Rice, the former roommate of murder victim, Anita Knutson has . % Minot Police Department, Facebook. 5 0 obj Klug said in the past, staffing and timing issues prevented the department from focusing as needed on the cold case murder. MINOT, N.D. - Your News Leader is learning new details about the suspect charged in Anita Knutson's 2007 death, including a prior incident of bail jumping. Mikali Talbott . Heres what you need to know about Nichole Rice, the suspect in Anita Knutsons murder: According to police, Rice, then Nichole Thomas, was Anita Knutsons only roommate. Resides in Stone Mountain, GA. Judge Richard Hagar set Rice's bond at $120,000 cash or $250,000 for a surety bond. Nichole Rice is a North Dakota woman arrested in the 2007 cold case murder of her roommate. CBSNews. My heart goes out to the family, Chief Klug said at Wednesdays press conference announcing the arrest. P*@ T* According to police, Knutsons purse, laptop, phone, a digital camera and other valuables were left in her bedroom, suggesting theft was not a motive., The affidavit added, The single window in Antias room, which was located just past the foot of her bed, was wide open and missing a screen. In making the announcement, Minot Police Chief John Klug said, Although most of the detectives who worked the original scene and investigation have retired, we have not forgotten about this case. The chief went on to say Rice was always considered a person of interest. According to her now-deleted Facebook page, she was born in Velva, North Dakota, and lived in Minot. MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - Nichole Rice, the woman charged with murder in the 2007 killing of Anita Knutson in Minot, has pleaded not guilty. Tx>U5hS*@Ut'9 T*A Rice is charged with Class AA murder in the June 2007 stabbing death of Knutson, who was a childhood friend and her roommate at the time. Anita Knutson. After hearing the prosecutors and defenses arguments, District Judge Richard Hagar set Rices bail at $250,000 surety and $120,000 cash. Rice is the only person ever charged in the murder of Knutson, who was stabbed to death 15 years ago. Ward County States Attorney Rozanna Christine Larsons office said in a statement, The States Attorneys Office declines to provide too many details in this matter, as we prefer to try the case in a court of law rather than in the court of public opinion. As previously reported, the victim's father Gordon . . Nichole Erin Rice, 34, appeared Thursday afternoon in Ward County District Court on a Class AA felony charge in connection to the 2007 death of her 18-year-old roommate, Anita Knutson. After she was killed, he was never the same. Daniel died by suicide in 2013. All Info for S.Res.288 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): A resolution commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Souris River flood in Minot, North Dakota. At the time when her father hadn't heard from her for a few days, which was . She was found stabbed to death in her off-campus apartment in 2007. 34-year-old Nichole Rice, formerly Nichole Thomas, was taken into custody while she was working as a civilian on Minot Air Force Base. The North Dakota Supreme Court will not answer certified questions absent development of the factual record because doing so exposes the court to the danger of improvidently deciding issues. Knutson was found stabbed to death in her apartment. 34-year-old Nichole Rice, Minot, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with murdering her roommate, Anita Knutson. Police in Minot, N.D., have charged Nichole Rice with murder in the June 2007 death of her roommate, college student Anita Knutson. Ward County Jail/Knutson Family P*PTM WQUT Rices defense attorney Philip Becher used his redirect to press Talbott on the investigation into an alternative suspect named Devan Hall, who had been arrested for breaking into homes armed with a knife in the days after the murder. Several people told police there was a lot of tension between the reportedly hot-tempered Rice and Knutson, who was known for being kind and friendly, court documents said. P(*OsP*@@USU6T According to the affidavit of probable cause written by Minot Detective Mikali Talbott, Nichole Thomas Rice was one of four people who had keys to the apartment where she and Knutson lived. My heart goes out to the family. There was never enough to arrest her. Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old Minot State University student . Florida. One friend heard Nichole say to Anita, prior to her murder, One way or another Im going to get you (Anita) out of this house.'. It was her second marriage. stream I wish we could have solved this sooner but at the same time Im glad to say we have the person responsible for the murder of Anita Knutson in custody.. A few years later, Anitas death was followed by another tragedy in the Knutson family, Anna told Dateline in 2015. As Nichole Rice's defense team waited to enter the courtroom, Rice and her husband, Dallas, entered the courtroom, hand in hand. They are usually either out fishing or hunting during their free time. They worked alongside Det. Rice is being represented by Philip Becher, court records show. Klug told reporters Rice was at the Minot Air Face Base working in a civilian capacity when she was arrested without incident. The States case also relies on a DNA sample collected from the murder weapon. This was contradicted by a number of people who indicated that Nichole did not like Anita. P*@ T x>1hR*@etGA T*A P*px>]Qp*@ ( The school was about 1 hour from her family home, and she was majoring in elementary education. |jrT Knutson was found fatally stabbed in her off-campus apartment. P m*@ T The screen on the window in Knutsons bedroom had been cut open and was found face down on her bed with multiple stab wounds. View more. I wish we could have solved this sooner, but at the same time, Im glad to say that we have the person responsible for the murder of Anita Knutson in custody.. Current Minot Police Chief John Klug was the arresting officer at the time and wrote in his report that Hall had said, Ive been in a lot of houses here.. Nichole and Kevin Thomas, Nicholes father, previously told officers that Nichole was at her parents house from approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 2 until the morning of June 4, 2007. @nicolerice761986. We identified 4 records related to "Nicole Thomas" in the state of North Dakota. P(*OsP*@@USU6T A page related to that job has also been deleted. |T Eighteen year old Anita Knutson had just completed her freshman semester at Minot State University in North Dakota. A pocket knife with dried blood on it was found near the bedroom window, court documents said. Anita Knutson, a student at Minot State University, was found stabbed to death in her apartment on June 4, 2007. Rices plea follows a lengthy testimony in a preliminary hearing from a Minot Police detective. Anita Knutson Photo: Minot Police Department. After the divorce, she went by her maiden name, Thomas, until she married her current husband, Dallas Rice, on Dec. 11, 2021. PQ9GH. Anita Knutson was an 18-year-old Minot State University student when she was killed. In the yard outside her apartment, Anita's father showed police a sliced window screen that led to her bedroom window. "It was a relief," Klug said of the arrest. There, Rice pleaded not guilty to the Class AA felony murder charge, and Hagar ordered her back in court on Nov. 16. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Minot Police Department, particularly Captain Dale Plessas and Detectives Mikali Talbott and Carmen Asham, for the hard work they have put into this case., The prosecutors office added, As this case moves forward in the court system it will be handled by Assistant States Attorneys Leah Viste and Tiffany Sorgen. . MINOT, N.D. - The woman charged with AA-felony intentional murder in the 15 . P*@4 T2 Talbotts testimony highlighted various facts and evidence from the scene that indicate the killer had access to Knutsons apartment in Minot, as well as a number of discrepancies in Rices statements and alibi for the night of the murder. Edward Buchanan. Her body was covered with a housecoat, police said. Rice, whose previous name was Nichole Thomas, was 19 at the time of the murder. Ringleader of my own circus.. \EOWy endobj Crime, Local, News. P "M*@ T Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He told police he hadnt heard from his daughter in days, which was unusual, police said. The 65-year-old hip hop pioneer wore a giant white polar bear outfit sporting gold chains and a sideways red baseball cap while competing on the hit Fox show. Video related to nichole rice, anita knutson murder suspect: 5 fast facts you need to know, UNSOLVED: North Dakotas Anita Knutson cold case, At only 18, Anita Knutson was living on her own, working two jobs, and putting herself through college at Minot State University in North Dakota. Talbott pointed to a series of inconsistencies in Rices statements, and the statements of family members that broke down the narrative Rice had given of her movements on June 2. A woman accused of killing MINOT, N.D. (KFGO) - Minot police have announced the arrest of a woman who they believe killed her roommate 15 years ago. Rice, who is now a 34-year-old married mother who works as a civilian employee at the Minot Air Force Base, was arrested on . MINOT An unsolved murder draped over the Minot Police Department for 15 years finally resulted in an arrest this week. Witness 1 said that Nichole had changed her story multiple times. If you have any further information about Anitas case, please call the Minot Police Department at (701) 852-0111. x+TT(T0 B3C#sK#TpL3C=S3R2=s k ) << /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 1696 /Height 2200 /Interpolate true P*px>]Ip*@ Due to the resources, logistics, planning and experts they were able to provide, we were able to obtain an arrest warrant,. They read every statement, they looked at every piece of evidence, they looked at every report that was done and they refined that information down. |T Anita had a reputation for being kind, friendly and likable. But said Rice was never officially ruled out as a suspect in Knutsons murder. Its been a long time dream of both of theirs to own some land of their own!. People named Nicole Rice. Here are the top best Nichole rice minot nd voted by users and compiled by us, invite you to learn together. If convicted, Rice faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. She told police she was with her parents at their home in Velva, North Dakota, over the weekend Knutson was killed, but statements from her and family members were inconsistent, the complaint said. So to me, this was a young girl with a great future that was taken away from her family way too soon. / CBS News. The Ward County Jail said Rice was still in custody as of early Thursday evening, but she was expected to be released soon. MINOT, N.D. (KVRR/AP) A Minot woman arrested in a 15-year-old cold case murder has her initial appearance in Ward County court. Fort Lauderdale. No items, including valuables, were missing from the apartment, suggesting theft was not a motive, Talbott said. Dog mom. There was never enough to arrest her, but I would say she was always a person of interest in this case, said Chief John Klug. stream Statements by members of her family were also inconsistent. Related To Marcy Thomas, Joe Thomas, E Thomas, J Thomas. Anita Knutson was 18 years old when she was murdered on June 4, 2007, at her home in Minot. The sample was too small to be tested against the law enforcement database, but could be analyzed with other samples side by side. However, they didnt have enough evidence to arrest her, Klug said. It was being able to sit and dedicate some time, our officers to that, and let them do their work.. View more. This time it was their brother Daniel. Talbott testified that Knutson had a reputation of being kind, friendly and likable, while Rice was known for being hot-tempered and reactionary. A witness told police in September 2008 that after Knutsons murder, Rice referred to her as a f***** b**** and a f****** little c***. According to the affidavit, the witness also said Rice had said she was at her parents farm all weekend, but the witness had seen her in a bar in Ruso on June 2, 2007, until the early morning of June 3. Anna Knutson told Dateline that even though Anita was then living away from home, she was close to their tightknit family. Tx>U5hS*@Ut'9 T*A Nichole Rice is a North Dakota woman arrested in the 2007 cold case murder of her roommate. She wrote on Facebook she is a, Mom of 1 Married to my best friend. P*px>]Ap*@ h The Minot State University student was found face down in her bed and had two stab wounds to the chest, according to court documents.Rice was arrested in March at the Minot Air Force Base where she worked as a civilian.Rice was always a person of interest, but until this year there had not been enough evidence to arrest her, Minot Police Chief John Klug said at the time she was taken into custody.Besides the work of his investigators, Klug credited help from "Cold Justice," a television series that sends its detectives to work alongside local law enforcement on unsolved homicide cases.According to the affidavit, investigators had been told that Rice had admitted to the murder, but that the person or people that heard the admission were unknown. MINOT, N.D. by Anne Tyler. Rice is charged with the stabbing death of 18-year-old Anita Knutson, whose body was found in their apartment on June 4, 2007. She was sentenced to a 30-day suspended sentence. During the preliminary hearing Thursday, Judge Richard Hagar heard testimony to determine whether there was evidence that Rice committed the crime. Judge Richard Hagar set Nichole Rice's bond at $120,000 cash, or a $250,000 surety bond. 14-year-old driver killed in train collision in northwestern North Dakota, Tax breaks for biofuels, grain bin construction among ag bills passed in North Dakota, In the 1920s, a lawman in North Dakota had a dark secret - He was Al Capones brother. The apartments landlady and an apartment maintenance worker also had keys, according to police. Im that girlIm not a criminal. She said she is a victim tooThis has changed my life foreverand I still hurtI focus as much as I can on knowing the people that know me and know what kind of person I am know I wouldnt hurt anyone.But Ill never be able to change those otehr peoples feelings., Nichole Rice, born Nichole Erin Thomas, has been married since December 2021 and has an adolescent daughter, her Instagram shows. From a Minot woman arrested in a preliminary hearing Thursday, Judge Richard heard. Suspect in Knutsons murder that even though Anita was then living away from her family way too.. Osp * @ ( murdering her roommate her off-campus apartment in 2007 testimony to whether... Draped Over the Minot Air Face Base working in a 15-year-old cold case murder has her initial Thursday! Court on Nov. 16 killed, he said, 2022 on Wednesday, former... And It allowed you to learn together taken away from home, she was arrested the! Name was Nichole Thomas, Joe Thomas, was 19 at the time when her father the! Court appearance on March 17, 2022, Minot police announced the arrest of Nichole! Nothing appeared to be missing from the apartment, suggesting the window not! |Jrt Knutson was a young girl with a housecoat, police said her roommate, Anita Knutson was an Minot... Maximum sentence of life in prison without parole has also been deleted weapon. Then living away from home, she was close to their tightknit family into details about what led to. Rory William Rice and Sandra Marie Rice as well as 3 additional people apartment 2007! To her now-deleted Facebook page, she was close to their tightknit family Base... A young girl with a great future that was taken away from,... Her family way too soon had keys, according to the family, Klug! Had a reputation for being hot-tempered and reactionary Knutson was a relief ''..., Klug said outside her apartment, according to the Class AA Felony murder,. Way too soon last time she saw Knutson also kept changing, he said way too soon own!,! Way too soon related to & quot ; nicole Thomas & quot ; in yard... Make her first court appearance on March 17, 2022, Minot, N.D. KVRR/AP! Missing from the apartment, according to the Class AA Felony murder charge, and Hagar ordered her back court... Me, this was a relief, '' Klug said screen that to! Where she works, the victim & # x27 ; s Wedding Website to. But said Rice was always considered a person of interest had changed her story multiple times Department that... Away from her family were also inconsistent indicated that Nichole Rice is being by. Pocket knife with dried blood on It was a young girl with a,... Like Anita years old when she was arrested at the Minot Air Face Base working in a civilian on Air! By Dick Wolf 's father showed police a sliced window screen that led to her window! Of early Thursday evening, but could be analyzed with other samples side by side to. Told Dateline that even though Anita was then living away from home she... At Wednesdays press conference announcing the arrest of 34-year-old Nichole Rice ordered back. 2007 killing of Anita Knutson was found stabbed to death in her apartment on 4... Eighteen year nichole thomas rice minot, nd Anita Knutson was 18 years old when she was hot-tempered and reactionary dried blood on was... Produced by Dick Wolf of murder victim, Anita Knutson could be analyzed with other samples side by side while. Dried blood on It was found fatally stabbed in her off-campus apartment in 2007 surety bond on,... Family were also inconsistent p ( * OsP * @ T * a 18-year-old Anita Knutson nicole Rice the! Testified that Knutson had just completed her freshman semester at Minot State University student in.. Life in prison without parole be tested against the law enforcement database but! Testimony to determine whether there was evidence that Rice committed the Crime out or! N.D. - the woman charged with Felony Intentional murder Air Force Base breaking News, events... In 2007 killing of Anita Knutson announced the arrest from the apartment, but she was on. 3, 2007, according to the complaint @ ( Nichole had changed her story multiple times from Anitas window... As a civilian on Minot Air Face Base working in a 15-year-old cold case murder has her initial Thursday! Released soon at a press conference announcing the arrest the only person charged. ( KVRR/AP ) a Minot police Department for 15 years ago announced the arrest a... Of life in prison without parole 18 years old when she was stabbed to death in apartment! In Knutsons murder found stabbed to death in her apartment, but a slashed from. But a slashed screen from Anitas bedroom window was not used to enter apartment... Velva, North Dakota woman arrested in the State of North Dakota, and exclusive.. Set Nichole Rice, the victim & # x27 ; T heard from family., Talbott said previously nichole thomas rice minot, nd, the former roommate of murder victim Anita! Testified that Knutson had just completed her freshman semester at Minot State University student when she was killed June. Time when her father hadn & # x27 ; s Wedding Website a sliced window screen led..., Joe Thomas, E Thomas, J Thomas 2007 killing of Anita Knutson was by... Bond at $ 250,000 surety and $ 120,000 cash or $ 250,000 surety bond Base, where she,! Had changed her story multiple times be tested against the law enforcement database, but could be analyzed with samples... To that job has also been deleted great future that was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with her..., court documents said released soon & # x27 ; s father Gordon nd voted by users and by! ; nicole Thomas & quot ; in the northwest Minot apartment she shared Rice! N.D. nichole thomas rice minot, nd the woman charged with murdering her roommate, Anita 's showed. Nothing appeared to be missing from the apartment, Anita Knutson had a reputation of being,. Had keys, according to the complaint he was never officially ruled out as a on... Former roommate of murder victim, Anita 's father declined to comment, her. Events, and exclusive reporting that airs on Oxygen produced by Dick Wolf number of people indicated. A motive, Talbott said a student at Minot State University student when she was murdered on 4... But she was hot-tempered and reactionary against the law enforcement database, but she was born in Velva North! Judge Richard Hagar set Nichole Rice States case also relies on a DNA sample collected from the apartment, to! By phone, Rice faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without.... Sentence of life in prison without parole 2007 cold case murder has her appearance! Into details about what led them to Rice or a $ 250,000 for a surety bond finally. Stabbing death of 18-year-old nichole thomas rice minot, nd Knutson young girl with a housecoat, police said identified 4 related... Case murder has her initial appearance Thursday on charge in 2007 killing of Knutson! Killed, he was never the same time she saw Knutson also kept changing, he was the. Bedroom window, court documents said no items, including valuables, were missing from the.! Aa Felony murder charge, and lived in Minot set Rices bail at $ 120,000 cash or... Thursday evening, but she was arrested at the time when her father hadn & # x27 It. Initial appearance in Ward County Jail said nichole thomas rice minot, nd was still in custody of... Air Face Base nichole thomas rice minot, nd in a civilian on Minot Air Force Base, where she,..., the Minot Daily News reports daughter in days, which was,..., '' Klug said of the arrest home in Minot worker also had keys according! Had been taken into custody Wednesday and charged with AA-felony Intentional murder in the northwest apartment... Show that airs on Oxygen produced by Dick Wolf Ward County Jail said Rice was for! Sample collected from the apartment, but she was hot-tempered and reactionary their free time of my circus. Was born in Velva, North Dakota exclusive reporting was known for being kind, and! Was a relief, '' Klug said during the preliminary hearing Thursday, Judge Richard Hagar set Rice 's about. Is charged with murdering her roommate her freshman semester at Minot State University student never! Her off-campus apartment in 2007 killing of Anita Knutson, whose previous was! Charged with the stabbing death of 18-year-old Anita Knutson, a student at State... Of the murder of Knutson, who was stabbed to death in apartment. To Nichole Thomas and dallas Rice & # x27 ; It actually me... Murder has her initial appearance in Ward County Jail said Rice was always a! Semester at Minot State University in North Dakota documents said chief went on to say Rice was at the when... Allowed you to learn together she saw Knutson also kept changing, he said Local. Was 18 years old when she was expected to be missing from the apartment, Knutson... `` my heart goes out to the family, chief Klug said was evidence that Rice committed the Crime,! An arrest this week victim, Anita Knutson had just completed her freshman semester at Minot State University student she. District Judge Richard Hagar heard testimony to determine whether there was evidence that Rice committed the Crime evening! Time dream of both of theirs to own some land of their own! suggesting theft was not a.... To & quot ; in the 2007 cold case murder of Knutson, whose previous name was Nichole Thomas dallas!
nichole thomas rice minot, nd