North Dakota appeals ruling that overturned decades-old murder conviction Werner Kunkel, a 65-year-old man from Germany, remains incarcerated at the James River Correctional Facility in Jamestown as the state of North Dakota appeals a recent court decision that overturned his 1995 murder conviction. The case, which has drawn significant legal and immigration scrutiny, now awaits resolution from the North Dakota Supreme Court. The state’s appeal centers on two key points raised by prosecutors. First, they argue that Kunkel delayed filing for post-conviction relief for an excessive period, which they claim violates procedural rules. Second, they dispute the judge’s ruling that the prosecutor during Kunkel’s original trial withheld evidence that could have bolstered his defense. The ruling, issued last month, led to the dismissal of Kunkel’s murder conviction, prompting the state to seek a reversal. Kunkel’s legal team had previously requested a release hearing to assess whether he could be freed while the appeal process unfolds. However, the hearing was canceled at the last minute, with attorney Dane DeKrey stating it was in Kunkel’s best interest to remain in custody. DeKrey emphasized the complexity of the case, noting that “this process is painfully slow” and that strategic decisions are necessary to navigate the legal challenges. Kunkel faces an active Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer due to allegations from the 1980s and 1990s that he wrote bad checks. While his lawyers hoped vacating the murder conviction would remove him from the deportation list, immigration judges consider “moral turpitude”—a term indicating bad morals—as part of the deportation process.#operation_metro_surge #north_dakota #werner_kunkel #james_river_correctional_facility #dane_dekrey
Data Center Developer Looks West Applied Digital, a data center developer, is investing $75 million in power system upgrades in eastern North Dakota as part of its plans to expand operations into the western part of the state. The company will fund the construction of an electrical substation and high-voltage powerline necessary for its new data center project located near Interstate 29, between Fargo and Harwood. The project involves collaboration with Minnkota Power Cooperative, which will own and operate the new infrastructure. A representative from Minnkota highlighted the significance of the investment, stating that the upgrades will provide substantial benefits to the regional power grid and other customers. Ben Fladhammer, a Minnkota spokesperson, emphasized that the infrastructure improvements will support the southern Red River Valley, enhancing reliability and capacity for the area’s energy needs. The initiative reflects Applied Digital’s strategic focus on leveraging North Dakota’s abundant renewable energy resources and its growing demand for data storage and processing capabilities. The company’s expansion plans align with broader trends in the tech industry, where data centers are increasingly relying on remote, energy-efficient locations to meet rising computational demands. The power upgrades are expected to address potential bottlenecks in the existing grid, ensuring that the data center can operate efficiently while also contributing to the stability of the regional electricity network. This development underscores the intersection of technological growth and infrastructure investment, highlighting how advancements in data infrastructure can drive economic and energy sector progress.#data_center #interstate_29 #applied_digital #minnkota_power_cooperative #north_dakota
