BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A judge has denied a request for a separate trial by a man accused of killing the husband of his co-defendent near Bismarck last winter.
South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr ruled Earl Howard, 42, and Nikkisue Entzel, 39, will be tried together on accusations that they plotted Chad Entzel’s death in an apparent love triangle and with plans to cash in on a life insurance policy.
An attorney for Earl Howard argued at an earlier hearing in Burleigh County that the criminal background of his client and Nikkisue Entzel are different and that trying them together would be unfair and could lead to a mistrial.
Howard is charged with murder, arson and three conspiracy counts in the death of Chad Entzel, whose body was found Jan. 2 after a house fire northeast of Bismarck. An autopsy showed Entzel died of gunshot wounds, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
Nikkisue Entzel is charged with three counts of conspiracy.
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