MINOT, N.D. - Jurors in the Moe Maurice Gibbs murder trial here watched a video this afternoon of investigators invterviewing Gibbs about the death of Mindy Morgenstern.
In the video, Gibbs denies multiple times that he had any involvement in Morgenstern's death.
Several things Gibbs said in the interview conflict with testimony from witnesses, as well as official records regarding Gibbs' past.
Earlier today, Gibbs' ex-wife, Christina Judd, took the witness stand and talked about his activities and demeanor on Sept. 13, 2006, the day Morgenstern was killed.
Judd also talked about the days following Sept. 13, including the day the former Barnes County jailer was arrested, and of a phone conversation with him a few days later.
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Judd said she asked Gibbs, her husband at the time, on Sept. 24 why his DNA was found under Morgenstern's fingernails and "he said that she must have just picked it up off the door or the walls or something."
Part of Judd's testimony conflicted with what law enforcement agents said Gibbs told them, including how he scratched his hands and when he was in Morgenstern's apartment.
She also testified that Gibbs, 34, brought her something to drink before 1 p.m. after she sent him a text message asking him to do so at 12:33 p.m.
Authorities believe Morgenstern was killed about 12:30 p.m. that day.
Earlier this morning, Morgenstern's boyfriend, Jordan Ranum, testified about his relationship with the 22-year-old Valley City State University senior.
Ranum also talked about the last time he spoke to Morgenstern, which he said was in a phone conversation about 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 13.
Dennis Fisher, one of Gibbs' defense attorneys, questioned Ranum about his whereabouts the day Morgenstern died. Ranum, a farmer, testified he was working in the field that day and was seen by his father, Bruce.
Bruce Ranum also took the stand this morning, testifying he saw his son in the field about 1:30 p.m.
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Testimony will continue this afternoon.
Gibbs is facing a Class AA felony murder charge for Morgenstern's death in her Valley City, N.D., apartment.
He lived in the same building at the time of his arrest and faces a maximum sentence of life without parole if convicted.
