Episode Details

Federal Judge in North Dakota Rejects Plea Deal for Man Accused of Strangling Woman and Burning Her Home

A federal judge in North Dakota has turned down a plea deal for Derick Wilkinson, a man from White Shield accused of strangling a woman to death and setting her home on fire last August. The judge, Daniel Traynor, rejected the deal due to the severity of the charges, which included assault with intent to murder and tampering with evidence. The plea deal would have given Wilkinson forty years in prison.

The judges decision was influenced by surveillance video from inside the house that captured the entire incident. This evidence highlighted the epidemic of domestic violence against Native women and girls in the area. Traynor emphasized the need for sentencing to reflect these harsh realities and support efforts to stop the violence.

The judge also criticized the plea deal for not adequately addressing the victim, her family, and the Three Affiliated Tribes. He urged federal prosecutors to improve their communication with tribal leaders moving forward.

A status conference is scheduled for March eighteenth, and a jury trial is set to begin on April seventh.

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