Fargo Jury Convicts Man in Bell Bank Assault
Fargo, Cass County (trfnews.i234.me) A Cass County jury found Royal Rockefeller, 46, guilty of aggravated assault on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Prosecutors said the attack happened near Bell Bank in downtown Fargo. They said it took place around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 4. The location was the 15 block of Broadway North.
Police and prosecutors said Peter Boyer was assaulted without warning. Officials said there were no eyewitnesses. Boyer did not testify at the trial.
What the Jury Heard
Jurors saw surveillance video from the area. Prosecutors said the video showed a man attacking Boyer. The video did not clearly show the attacker’s face.
In court, a medical worker described Boyer’s injuries. Testimony said Boyer had cuts on his head. Testimony also said he had broken bones in his face.
Jurors also heard audio from a 911 call. Boyer called for help after the attack. He said he did not know why it happened.
Arrest After a Call at Island Park
Police arrested Rockefeller the next day. The case complaint said he called officers to Island Park.
The complaint said Rockefeller told dispatch there were hidden cameras in a bathroom. Officers said they found no hidden cameras.
Prosecutors said Rockefeller wore clothing matching the attacker’s outfit. They also pointed to a gold chain. They said the chain looked the same in the video.
Prosecutors also said he had a bicycle like the one in the footage. They told jurors the proof met the legal standard.
Defense Argument and Verdict
Defense attorney Eric Thomas challenged the identification. He said the video did not show clear markers. He said the state did not prove identity beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant Cass County State’s Attorney Josh Traiser argued the match was strong. He told jurors the standard is beyond reasonable doubt. He said it is not beyond all doubt.
The jury received the case Thursday morning. The jury returned a guilty verdict later that afternoon.
Sentence and Prior Record
Judge Stephanie Stiel sentenced Rockefeller to three years in prison. She also ordered two years of probation after release. The court gave him credit for 199 days served.
Court records describe a violent past conviction for Rockefeller. Records say he was convicted of murder in Minneapolis in 1995. Records say he spent nearly 20 years in prison.
For more background on the court system, visit North Dakota Courts. For local law enforcement information, visit the Fargo Police Department website.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.