×

ND Supreme Court hears oral arguments in overturned Werner Kunkel case

By Alex Carmenaty Sep 11, 2026 | 8:14 AM

(KFYR) – Justices on the North Dakota Supreme Court are hearing oral arguments on Thursday in the case of Werner Kunkel.

Kunkel spent more than 30 years behind bars for the 1986 death of Gilbert Fassett. But earlier this year, a judge threw out his murder conviction, ruling prosecutors hid crucial evidence, including witnesses who told police they saw the victim alive days after he was supposedly killed.

On Thursday, state attorneys made their case to overturn that decision and reinstate the guilty verdict.

Even with the arguments, Kunkel isn’t a free man. After being granted bond last month, he was immediately turned over to ICE custody and faces possible deportation back to Germany.

FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!