Bannister To Plead Guilty In Officer Killing

A man accused of killing a Bismarck police officer will plead guilty to murder through an Alford plea.

 

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A man accused of killing a Bismarck police officer will plead guilty to murder through an Alford plea.

Steven Bannister, 52, was to stand trial in the killing last July of 56-year-old police Sgt. Steve Kenner, who was responding to a domestic disturbance call. Bannister had pleaded not guilty to murder and terrorizing.

Bannister's attorney, Steven Mottinger, participated in a telephone hearing on Thursday. Mottinger says Bannister had a stroke shortly after his arrest in Kenner's death and has little memory of the July incident.

In an Alford plea, a defendant admits there's enough evidence for a conviction but doesn't admit guilt.

A change of plea hearing will be scheduled for June 21.

(KFGO file photo)

 

AP

   

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