GRAND FORKS — A Grand Forks County prosecutor said the evidence that will be presented throughout Donald Joseph Bartlette's trial will show he beat a man to death — a man he was not only friends with, but whom he had been living with from time to time while experiencing homelessness.

"On Oct. 24 of 2024, Anthony Kiehl was brutally beaten to death by the defendant," Assistant Grand Forks County State's Attorney Rachel Egstad said during her opening statement Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 19.

Anthony "Tony" Kiehl, 49, was seen with Bartlette, 46, earlier that day, Egstad said. She said the two were also seen on surveillance footage entering Kiehl's apartment at approximately 6:11 p.m.

"This was the last time Anthony would be seen alive by anyone other than the defendant," Egstad said.

Samuel G

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