State v. Crites

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FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF SUPREME COURT JULY 8, 2021 STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA IN THE SUPREME COURT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA 2021 ND 125 State of North Dakota, Plaintiff and Appellee v. Justin James Crites, Defendant and Appellant No. 20200356 Appeal from the District Court of Williams County, Northwest Judicial District, the Honorable Kirsten M. Sjue, Judge. AFFIRMED. Per Curiam. Nathan K. Madden, Assistant State’s Attorney, Williston, ND, for plaintiff and appellee; submitted on brief. Laura C. Ringsak, Bismarck, ND, for defendant and appellant; submitted on brief. State v. Crites No. 20200356 Per Curiam. [¶1] Justin James Crites appeals from a criminal judgment entered after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter. Crites argues the evidence at trial was insufficient to support his conviction for manslaughter. He also argues the district court erred in denying his two motions for a mistrial. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude substantial evidence exists that could allow a jury to draw a reasonable inference in favor of conviction. Additionally, we conclude the court did not abuse its discretion in denying Crites’ motions for a mistrial. We summarily affirm under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3) and (4). [¶2] Jon J. Jensen, C.J. Gerald W. VandeWalle Daniel J. Crothers Lisa Fair McEvers Jerod E. Tufte 1

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