CARSON, N.D. (AP) - A white supremacist who unsuccessfully tried to take over a small North Dakota town is scheduled to stand trial this summer on terrorizing charges.
South Central District Judge Gail Hagerty on Feb. 10 gave attorneys in the case of Craig Cobb three weeks to work out a plea deal. On Thursday, less than two weeks later, the court scheduled a jury trial for July 15-17, with Judge David Reich presiding.
The Associated Press left messages Friday for Grant County State’s Attorney Todd Schwarz and defense attorney Ryan Heintz seeking comment on whether plea bargain talks had broken down.
Cobb, 62, who moved to the town of Leith about two years ago and attempted to turn it into an all-white enclave, is accused of terrorizing residents with guns in mid-November. He has pleaded not guilty to seven felony counts. Schwarz this week moved to dismiss one of the counts, saying the evidence didn’t justify it, but Cobb still could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on the other six counts.
Kynan Dutton, who lived with Cobb in Leith and also was charged with terrorizing in the alleged gun incident, pleaded guilty last month to lesser charges and was sentenced to time served and two years of probation. He also is required to testify at Cobb’s trial.
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