CHARLES CRANE/MDN Rachael Foster leaves the courtroom after waiving her preliminary hearing and pleading not guilty to murder at the Ward County Courthouse on Monday, April 13.

The Minot woman charged in a fatal shooting in October 2025 has waived her preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rachel Kathryn Foster, 43, appeared in North Central District Court on Monday, April 13, before Judge Todd Cresap. Foster is charged in the death of Lance Phillips, 38, who investigators say Foster shot twice in a southeast Minot apartment complex, according to court documents.

Monday’s hearing came after Foster was deemed fit to proceed in February following an evaluation at the state hospital.

Foster’s attorney Tyler Morrow informed Cresap his client intended to waive the preliminary hearing and plead not guilty to one Class AA felony count of murder-extreme indifference, and one Class C felony count of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Foster confirmed she understood the nature of the charges against her and the maximum possible sentences, which includes life without the possibility of parole.

The parties discussed scheduling for future hearings, which have not yet been set, based on court records. Foster is being held at the Ward County Jail on a $1 million bond.