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North Central District Court Judge Stacey Louser has issued a letter to Ward County law enforcement leadership related to heightened security for the upcoming trial of a Minot man accused of killing his roommate in 2020.
Shawnee Krall, 31, Minot, is scheduled for a jury trial on Jan. 2 on a charge of Class AA felony murder for his alleged role in the death of Alice Queirolo, 29. In a letter dated Nov. 28 and addressed to Ward County Sheriff Robert Roed, Ward County Jail Commander Paul Olthoff and Bureau of Criminal Investigation agent Patrick Lenertz, Louser addressed a number of "unique incidents" she felt required consideration to ensure the safety of all parties and the public during the proceedings.
The incidents in question included 41 disciplinary sanctions against Krall that have been upheld since he was taken into custody in December 2020. Sanctions included those for threats directed at other inmates, jail staff, court personnel and corrections officers, fighting and assaultive behavior towards other inmates and intentional damage of property. Louser also identified a specific incident in which Krall locked a female corrections officer in his cell.
These sanctions were previously used as justification to deny Krall several requests for a furlough to attend the deathbed vigil and subsequent funeral of his grandfather. Louser noted that the denial of the requests resulted in a report from Ward County Sheriff Office staff regarding perceived threats made by Krall directed at staff and court personnel during a phone call with a family member.
Another incident raised by Louser occurred in September, when Krall's previous court-appointed attorney Breanna Delorme requested and was granted permission to withdraw from the case after another recorded jailhouse phone call captured Krall being instructed by his mother to assault her to secure new counsel. Later that month, Krall was charged with two felony charges of possession of a weapon by an inmate after multiple items classified as dangerous weapons were found in his cell.
Louser requested the review of the security plan for all upcoming hearings in addition to the trial. Due to the nature of the charges against Krall, he is required to have at least two deputies accompany him outside of the Ward County Jail.
Specific changes proposed by Louser include a law enforcement escort for Krall to and from the courtroom and another to be placed in the gallery for the duration of the trial. A member of Krall's family had previously been disruptive during a hearing, according to Louser, who felt the additional presence of law enforcement would help ensure minimal interruptions to any ongoing proceedings in the case.
Krall's next court date before the trial is a motion hearing scheduled for Dec. 11 regarding a motion to obtain testimony from a witness whom prosecutors believe to be a flight risk. A pretrial conference for the weapons charges is scheduled for Jan. 10 before District Court Judge Richard Hagar.