With the jury trial of Nichole Rice just days away, the parties convened for a status conference at the Ward County Courthouse on Wednesday.

Two issues were on the agenda, the first being a request by Rice’s attorneys to allow one of the defense’s potential witnesses to testify by reliable electronic means. The second related to the defense’s objections to expanded media requests by television network Court TV and another from other statewide and national media entities.

Rice’s attorney, William Sand, said his office and state prosecutors had been able to hash out the timing and availability of various witnesses leading up to Wednesday’s hearing, but one potential witness, Devin Hall, would have to appear via Zoom or some other reliable electronic means. Assistant Ward County State’s Attorney Christopher Nelson indicated his office would be objecting due to the request not being filed until late Tuesday afternoon.

District Court Judge Richard Hagar asked Sand to furnish communications from Montana authorities showing their change of mind in allowing Hall’s travel to testify in Grand Forks, where the trial will be held. Hagar also asked Nelson to file his objections to the request with the court before a ruling is made.

Regarding expanded media coverage, Nelson said the state would join Rice’s objections to expanded media coverage of the trial in general and to the specific request made by Court TV. Sand clarified his objection and also specifically took issue with an aspect of Court TV’s request to have cameras and microphones situated to capture both counsel tables during the trial.

Attorney Jack McDonald participated in the hearing over Zoom, and Hagar asked him to provide a written response to the objection as soon as possible. Hagar asked all parties to familiarize themselves with the layout of the courtroom the trial will take place in, noting the courtroom does have a plug-in sound system to facilitate audio recording of the proceeding, making it unnecessary for any additional microphones.

McDonald argued some reasonable expanded media coverage should be allowed for the trial, and said Court TV would take great care in avoiding broadcasting or recording any privileged or protected conversations. McDonald said allowing Court TV expanded access would diminish the presence of media members in the courtroom as the network would provide pooled access to the footage.

“Then the courtroom would remain relatively free of the media. I think due to the interest in this case in Ward County and in Minot, those citizens would then be able to see and hear the proceedings,” McDonald said.

Hagar denied McDonald’s request for a Court TV representative to speak and asked all parties to quickly file their written objections and responses so he can make his final rulings as quickly as possible.

Rice’s trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 17.