Prosecutors said the attack happened near Bell Bank<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Police and prosecutors said Peter Boyer was assaulted without warning. Officials said there were no eyewitnesses. Boyer did not testify at the trial.<\/p>\n Jurors saw surveillance video from the area. Prosecutors said the video showed a man attacking Boyer. The video did not clearly show the attacker\u2019s face.<\/p>\n In court, a medical worker described Boyer\u2019s injuries. Testimony said Boyer had cuts on his head. Testimony also said he had broken bones in his face.<\/p>\n Jurors also heard audio from a 911 call. Boyer called for help after the attack. He said he did not know why it happened.<\/p>\n Police arrested Rockefeller the next day. The case complaint said he called officers to Island Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n The complaint said Rockefeller told dispatch there were hidden cameras in a bathroom. Officers said they found no hidden cameras.<\/p>\n Prosecutors said Rockefeller wore clothing matching the attacker\u2019s outfit. They also pointed to a gold chain. They said the chain looked the same in the video.<\/p>\n Prosecutors also said he had a bicycle like the one in the footage. They told jurors the proof met the legal standard.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Assistant Cass County State\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The jury received the case Thursday morning. The jury returned a guilty verdict later that afternoon.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For more background on the court system, visit North Dakota Courts<\/a>. For local law enforcement information, visit the Fargo Police Department<\/a> website.<\/p>\n I\u2019m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What the Jury Heard<\/h2>\n
![\"Royal](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Royal-Rockefeller-228x300.png\")
Arrest After a Call at Island Park<\/h2>\n
Defense Argument and Verdict<\/h2>\n
Sentence and Prior Record<\/h2>\n