–State prosecutors are resisting a defense motion to exclude testimony surrounding the criminal history of Kyle Lou Ricke during his upcoming 1st Degree Murder trial.
Court records show the state has filed their response to a defense motion that would prohibit any discussion of Ricke’s previous convictions during his trial, which is scheduled to begin next week.
Court documents filed on Friday by Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown show the state plans to offer evidence that Officer Kevin Cram was executing an arrest warrant for Ricke on a charge of 3rd Degree Harassment when he was shot and killed on the evening of September 13th, 2023. Brown argues this fact provides a legal context as to why Officer Cram was making contact with the defendant on the night in question, making it relevant testimony that needs to be heard by the jury.
The state further contends that footage from Officer Cram’s body camera will provide evidence as to the defendant’s state of mind just prior to the shooting.
Ricke’s attorneys filed a motion to suppress any mention of his criminal history last week. Judge Nancy Whittenburg has not yet ruled on that motion, with the trial scheduled to start on June 25th in Dickinson County.
