Murder Trial Wraps Up
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Postal Customer www.trftimes.com PRSRT-STD Carrier Rte. Presort & ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 4 Thief River Falls, MN 56701 Ⅵ p. 6-7 Sports Harbott wins Bagley cross-country meet NORTHERN Ⅵ Prowlers sweep Customer first. season series Community focused. with Rams WATCH “northwest minnesota’s regional newspaper” www.border.bank SAT | SEPTEMBER 26 | 2020 324 Main Ave. N., Thief River Falls, MN 56701 • Vol. 30, No. 39 218-681-8085 | Member FDIC Jury deliberates Murder trial wraps up by April Scheinoha others, James Hanson and Reporter Peyton Stuhaug, were charged in connection with The case is now in the the raid. With the exception hands of the jury. As of of Hanson, the others have presstime Thursday morn- since been sentenced. ing, jurors continued to de- Multiple individuals tes- liberate the case of Devon tified that Pulczinski was James Pulczinski, who is ac- also angry with other indi- cused of killing Alexandra Jo viduals, including Jeremy Ellingson and then setting a Tostrup, Hunter Blazek and COVID-19 fire to cover up the crime Enoch Evenson. A wooden March 27, 2019. stick containing Ellingson’s Pulczinski, 24, Thief name and the other three Large River Falls, testified in his names was found at the own defense Wednesday, home after the fire. Many Sept. 23. He testified that messages sent by Pulczinski Noah Hawkins accidentally were presented regarding events killed Ellingson while using his anger following the raid a rear naked choke hold at and thefts. Pulczinski’s apartment. He Miranda Timm, a cousin said, “It was an accident. It of Shaugabay, had testified drive was a terrible accident.” that they talked about lur- Pulczinski testified that ing Ellingson by having he decided to make it look Timm contact her to buy like a robbery or kidnapping drugs. Pulczinski would spread gone bad. He admitted re- then hide in the backseat of turning to his apartment the vehicle and they would by David Hill and setting fire to it. He tes- rob her of the drugs. How- Editor tified he was taking owner- ever, that meeting never oc- ship for what he had done – curred. Timm and Wednesday, Sept. 23, starting the fire. Pulczinski Pulczinski characterized Minnesota Department of said he used chemical their robbery talk as angry Health officials reported cleaner to start the fire on a talk and the stick as a sym- that 33 cases of COVID-19 futon and garbage can near bol. However, Timm had had been directly linked to a Ellingson’s body. contacted Ellingson. funeral on Sept. 9 in Martin Hawkins was given use An autopsy determined County. It points out a immunity for his testimony. that Ellingson died from as- greater concern - large Use immunity is a tool to phyxia due to plastic bags events driving the spread of compel individuals to testify that had been placed over the virus. in instances where they may her head. The manner of Kris Ehersmann, infec- assert their Fifth Amend- death was homicide. A plas- tious diseases director at ment rights. Hawkins testi- tic bag, secured with a cord, MDH, reported there had fied last week that had also been placed in been 150 to 200 people in at- Pulczinski walked up behind Ellingson’s mouth. tendance at the funeral and Ellingson and wrapped a Both Pulczinski and many attending the funeral cord around her neck and Hawkins testified that a did not wear masks or ob- then switched to a rear choke hold was used on serve social distancing at the naked choke hold. Ellingson. Choke holds are church service or at a lunch- Hawkins lied and omitted used in MMA. Both men eon held at a private resi- Fall colors appear to be at or just beyond their peak in much of northwestern Minnesota. information in two initial have experience in MMA dence after the funeral. A This photo was taken in Greenwood Trails Park in Thief River Falls. It’s a good time to get statements to police regard- with Hawkins having more number of funeral staff were out and enjoy northwestern Minnesota. ing whether he had been at experience in the sport. infected, and they are now the apartment. Hawkins’ Dr. Kelly Mills, chief med- tracking cases spreading to presence in the apartment ical examiner with the Ram- other congregations because came to light after a June sey County Medical the church is used by other 2019 statement from Ri- Examiner’s Office, earlier congregations. Door-to-door and mass testing cardo Martinez, who was the testified that one may not When asked whether downstairs tenant at the necessarily find evidence of these large events are a home. He testified they a choke hold being used. –––––––––– to be conducted in NW Minn. spoke while they planned to Extensive charring in- Page 12 ingest meth. juries were visible on Elling- by David Hill ple and identify positive at https://www.primarybio. No specifics were relayed son’s body and were Editor cases early to slow that com/r/thiefriverfalls; or OW SHOWIN during Martinez’s testimony, predominantly located on N G spread. https://www.health.state.mn but Sgt. Mike Roff took Mar- her back, arms, hands, legs Pennington County When? .us/diseases/coronavirus/test tinez’s statement. Roff testi- and left foot. Emergency Management Di- Beitel said the county’s sites/. If unable to sign up fied that Martinez said A family of five lived in rector Erik Beitel told Pen- COVID-19 response commit- online, call 1-855-612-0677. Hawkins nonchalantly re- the downstairs apartment of nington County tee has been asked to partic- The type of test to be ad- ferred to his presence there the house, which had been NEWLY REMODELED Commissioners Tuesday, ipate in a mass testing ministered would be a nasal & BRAND NEW SEATS and said the cord didn’t converted into two apart- Sept. 23, that Pennington event. That event would swab test. Those attending work. Hawkins then told ments. Martinez and his Be sure to download and reserve County will be a site for a take place at the Huck Olson the event can expect the at- your seats on our mobile app! Martinez that he suggested three kids were home at the COVID-19 mass testing Memorial Civic Center Sept. tending nurse to stick a a Mixed Martial Arts move time while his then-girl- LIMITED RESERVED SEATING ONLY event. 29, 30, and Oct. 1, from noon nasal swab about two inches – OPENED SEPTEMBER 25 – to Pulczinski to ensure friend was at work. Initially, Beitel said Pen- to 6 p.m. It would be spon- into your nasal passage. Of- Jurassic Ellingson’s death. Martinez Jurors received the case nington County would not be sored by the MDH and sup- ficials say it doesn’t hurt. It said Hawkins also referred at about 3:04 p.m. Wednes- S World the target of a CASPER or ported by the National is irritating and may cause to an alibi at work. Roff for- day after two alternates I Fallen Kingdom door-to-door in-person study, Guard and local health offi- eyes to water. A result to the warded the information to were excused. The case is D Rated: PG-13 but learned Wednesday cials. MDH would like to see test can be expected in two 2 hrs 8 mins investigators to determine now being decided by six E morning that it would. up to 600 individuals per to three days. Individuals the truthfulness of Mar- women and six men. Mon. - Fri No barrier mass testing day for a total of 1,800. who are positive will get a 7 p.m. tinez’s claims. Jurors began hearing the 1 Sat. & Sun. The Minnesota Depart- Beitel said the commmit- telephone call, but individu- Pulczinski faces felony case Monday, Sept. 14. The 4 & 7 ment of Health has recorded tee is still putting the logis- als who are negative will get charges of first degree mur- state rested its case Tuesday, – OPENED SEPTEMBER 25 – 115 COVID-19 positive cases tics package together. He an email or text message. der, second degree murder Sept. 22. Assistant Min- in Pennington County. Mon- said this would be absolutely More information about Secret Life and first degree arson in nesota Attorney General S day, Beitel said the county is voluntary and no barriers. this process can be found on Pennington County District John Gross and Pennington of Pets below the state standards, Beitel said it would give the MDH COVID-19 web- I Court. He is accused of mur- County Attorney Seamus Rated: PG and added, “We’re doing the community a good base- site. dering Ellingson, 23, Thief Duffy are prosecuting the D 1 hr 27 mins pretty good.” line or starting point for CASPER Study E Mon. - Fri River Falls, on March 27, case. Attorney Anthony 7 p.m. Last week, the MDH making comparisons, and an MDH is also expected to 2019. Bussa is representing Pul- Sat. & Sun. launched a four-week effort indicator of current condi- conduct voluntary, in-person 2 4 & 7 Ellingson’s body was czinski. The defense began to provide increased access tions. If there is spread, it surveys to understand the found after Thief River Falls presenting its case Tuesday to “no barrier” COVID-19 would provide an opportu- effect COVID-19 is having firefighters extinguished a afternoon. Pulczinski, along UPCOMING MOVIES testing in communities nity to prevent any further on Minnesota communities. fire at 307-1/2 Arnold Ave. S. with two other witnesses, To Be Announced across the state.