Author: Jim Ulvog

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune: Jury to begin deliberations in Graves trial.

It would appear that Mr. Graves heeded the judge’s advice yesterday that if there were any more outbursts he would be removed from the court. He presented his defense today and argued for dismissal after he rested his case. Presumably he made his own closing argument.

From the article it sounds like it was a contentious day. Several witnesses shared their anger and frustration for having been called to testify. One witness threatened Mr. Graves suggesting it would be a very bad thing if they’re both on the same side of the fence, presumably assigned to the same jail at the same time.

Continue reading “Day 8 of Keith Graves’ trial. Defense rests. Case goes to jury.”

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune: Graves’ trial to resume Wednesday with or without defendant. Article reports Mr. Graves was placed on suicide watch Monday after some undisclosed incident.

PACER system shows minutes from a status conference on Tuesday which indicate prosecutors, standby counsel and Mr. Graves were all present. An exhibit was received and placed under seal. The judge reviewed unspecified trial matters with the defendant. Conference lasted 35 minutes.

Continue reading “Day 7 of Keith Graves’ trial. Another delay plus lots of drama outside the courtroom”

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune: Graves Trial Delayed.

Article says delays resulted in the jury members going home shortly after the trial resumed on Monday. According to the article, expectation is the trial will resume on Tuesday.

Continue reading “Day 6 – Keith Graves’ trial delayed”

The schedule for the federal judge presiding over the trial of Keith Graves shows the trial is the only item on his schedule for the week of October 26 through 30. Look at the listings for District Judge Hovland on the linked page.

This is a change from last week when his schedule showed three or four items at 9 am each day this week. One of those items each day was this trial. Now, those other items have been cleared.

As mentioned by Andrew Sheeler on Friday, the trial resumes today with Mr. Graves beginning his defense presentation.

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune: Government rests in Graves Trial.

A report from KFYR adds a few tidbits to the story about the fourth day of the trial:  Jury Hears Witness, FBI Testimony in Graves Trial.  Report says Mr. Graves has fired two court-appointed attorneys. I was only aware of one being released.

The KFYR report says one of the women who testified on Thursday said she thought she would just be pushing drugs for Mr. Graves and not engage in prostitution. A bit more detail from the woman who said she was punished for not bringing back money:  she indicated she had been selling drugs that day and was tasered three times as punishment. An FBI agent was testifying on Thursday and was expected to continue on Friday.

Mr. Sheeler reports on day five of the trial.

Continue reading “Day 5 of Keith Graves’ trial. Government rests their case.”

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune: Alleged driver testifies against Graves.

On day 4 of the trial, three more women testified of being abused.

Article is not as detailed as I would like, obviously. Text says one of the three avoided being trafficked and mentioned her cousin was exploited. That seems to be the same comment as yesterday, but also seems to be from a different person.

One woman testified on Tuesday, four more Wednesday, and three yesterday would equal eight witnesses, which is the number of women alleged to have been trafficked in the indictment.

Continue reading “Day 4 of Keith Graves’ trial”

Andrew Sheeler reports in Bismarck Tribune:  Witnesses defiant in Graves’ sex-trafficking trial.

On day 3 of the trial, four more women testified of being trafficked. Each of them claimed on the stand they had been sexually assaulted at least once by Mr. Graves. That leaves three allegedly trafficked women still to testify.

At least two of the women lashed out at him during cross-examination.

Continue reading “Day 3 of Keith Graves’ trial”

Andrew Sheeler continues his coverage of the first full day of Keith Graves’ trial, which is day #2. If you are following this story, you will want to read Jury hears witness testimony in first full day of Graves’ trial in the Bismarck Tribune.

Lead off witness describes the incident that has gotten publicity before. Mr. Graves allegedly met her in Sydney and drove her to Williston. When she tried to talk another woman into leaving with her, Mr. Graves allegedly waved around a handgun, had the other woman inject the witness with methamphetamines, and threatened to kill both women with a miniature metal baseball bat if they left him.

The handgun subsequently turned out to be a BB gun which was found in a search of the home of former-pastor Jay Reinke on July 31. Both the BB gun and aluminum bat are mentioned in the forfeiture allegation of the criminal indictment.

Continue reading “Day 2 of Keith Graves’ trial”