North Dakota Supreme Court Denies Petition to Move Greenpeace Trial

Exterior of the Morton County Courthouse in Mandan.  (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Mary Steurer. North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Supreme Court denied a petition by Greenpeace to move its legal battle with Energy Transfer out of Morton County.

Attorneys for Greenpeace argued that the jury in the lawsuit, which concerns the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, will not be able to deliver a fair verdict since many Morton County residents were directly impacted by the demonstrations. It cited survey data as well as statements made by prospective jurors during the jury selection process.

The environmental group also raised concerns that jurors may have been targeted with pro-fossil fuel content, including political mailers and advertisements, leading up to the trial.

Greenpeace suggested moving the case to Cass County..

The Supreme Court did not explain its reasoning in denying Greenpeace’s petition.