- Unanimous not guilty verdict after 5+ hours of jury deliberation
- 15-year gap between crime and arrest due to evidentiary challenges
- No physical evidence directly linking Rice to the crime scene
In a dramatic courtroom conclusion, Nichole Rice wept as the Grand Forks jury cleared her of all charges related to the 2007 stabbing death of Anita Knutson. The verdict caps a 15-year investigative saga that saw multiple detectives revisit the case, with prosecutors ultimately relying on circumstantial evidence that failed to convince jurors. Legal analysts note this outcome reflects growing skepticism toward cold case prosecutions without DNA confirmation.
Regional crime statistics reveal North Dakota cold cases take 42% longer to prosecute than national averages, partly due to rural evidence preservation challenges. A 2019 University of North Dakota study found only 18% of pre-2010 cold cases in the state resulted in convictions, compared to 53% in urban jurisdictions. This pattern played out in Rice's defense, which highlighted missing fingerprint reports and contaminated crime scene photos.
Forensic experts consulted during trial testified that none of the 37 DNA samples from Knutson's Minot State University apartment matched Rice. The defense team leveraged this absence of physical evidence, contrasting it with modern cold case protocols that mandate immediate DNA cataloging. Since 2015, North Dakota has reduced its cold case backlog by 61% through a $2.3 million forensic lab upgrade program.
Legal observers note this verdict may influence pending prosecutions in similar regional cases, including the Fargo-based 2004 Jensen homicide investigation. The Rice decision follows a growing trend where juries demand concrete forensic links despite circumstantial narratives. As Knutson's family left the courthouse, community advocates announced plans to establish a statewide cold case review board.