The murder trial of a rural Manvel, N.D., man accused of killing his brother is set to start Feb. 8.
Rodney Chisholm, 45, appeared today in state District Court in Grand Forks for a pre-trial hearing.
Chisholm has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge and five felony theft counts linked to stolen farm equipment that authorities allegedly found in his possession.
He is due back in court Dec. 9 for another pretrial hearing. A separate trial on the theft charges against him is set to begin Jan. 11.
According to a court filing, Chisholm told investigators he killed his 59-year-old brother, Donald, on or about June 24 by either hitting him in the head with a metal pipe, strangling him or a combination of the two.
ADVERTISEMENT
Chisholm told the Herald he acted in self-defense after his brother, a farmer from Manvel, swung at him with a metal pipe.
The brothers were reportedly in a dispute over a plot of family owned land near Mekinock, N.D.
A judge has ordered attorneys and others involved in the case to not discuss the matter with the news media.
Ingersoll reports on crime and courts. Reach him at (701) 780-1269; (800) 477-6572, ext. 269; or send e-mail to aingersoll@gfherald.com
