Hoffman, 25, Minot Air Force Base, is accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend Alexander Eckert, 22, Minot, on April 21, 2022, and charged with Class AA felony intentional murder. Hoffman pleaded not guilty to Eckert’s murder, which investigators and state prosecutors allege came during a bitter custody dispute between the two. There had been two prior trial dates set for this matter, which were pushed first from April and then to June before later settling on the present start date.

Proceedings began with the first round of selection of prospective jurors, who filled Courtroom 302 before being lightly grilled by Hoffman’s defense attorney Steven Mottinger and Ward County State’s Attorney Roza Larson. Larson read the state’s information on the charge against Hoffman to the potential jurors, noting that despite the decidedly long list of potential witnesses, it is possible not all will be called by the state during the trial.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that’s the information. That’s what brings this case here to the court. That information is simply a charging document. Miss Hoffman has pleaded not guilty to the charge and in our constitutional system, she is presumed innocent,” District Court Judge Gary Lee stressed to the assembled jurors.

Mottinger began by reinforcing his client’s presumed innocence and asked his client to stand and face the potential jurors. Potential jurors ranged from retired educators, real estate brokers, farmers itching to get back to the field for harvest and other professionals who answered the call to fulfill their civic duties.

Heather Hoffman

Mottinger also made note to the potential jurors that he expected the trial to run well into next week, with the last scheduled day currently set for Sept. 15. Jury selection continued throughout the day, with opening statements to begin after selection has been completed.