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