Court to allow Devin Hall to testify remotely at Nichole Rice trial
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KMOT) - The judge will allow a witness in the Nichole Rice murder trial to testify over video rather than having to be transported from a correctional facility in Montana to North Dakota.
On Thursday, Judge Richard Hagar ruled in favor of a request from Rice’s defense to allow Devin Hall to testify over video.
Hall, who the defense has floated as a possible alternate suspect in the case, is incarcerated on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for an unrelated matter.
The state had objected to an effort from the defense to allow him to testify remotely, accusing the defense of acting in “bad faith” in their efforts. The state also remained adamant Hall was cleared of being a suspect in the case.
The defense has countered that Hall may have recognized the murder weapon during an interview with investigators.
In a hearing after testimony wrapped Thursday, outside the presence of the jury, Hagar ruled to allow Hall to testify but said the defense was responsible for coordinating it.
Hagar put Rice momentarily under oath, where she agreed to allow Hall to testify remotely, essentially waiving her right to face her accusers in person for one witness.
The two sides agreed to not bring up the fact that Hall is currently incarcerated during his testimony.
It’s unclear when specifically Hall will testify. The state may wrap up its case early to mid-next week, and then Rice’s defense will have the chance to present witnesses. Hall is not on the state’s list of potential witnesses, meaning he would likely come up during defense.
Rice faces a murder charge in the 2007 death of her roommate, Anita Knutson, who was found fatally stabbed in their shared off-campus apartment.
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