MINOT – The 12-person jury exited a North-Central District courtroom shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday to begin deliberation in the murder case against Heather Hoffman, 26, Minot. Hoffman is charged with the murder of Alexander Eckert, 22, Minot, in the entry way of his northwest Minot apartment on April 22, 2022.
Closing arguments were presented to the jury Tuesday morning. Defense Attorney Steven Mottinger, Fargo, told the jury that the State had not proved their case “beyond a reasonable doubt” and that a “not guilty” verdict was warranted.
Mottinger told the jury that Jesse Schroeder, who told police he accompanied Hoffman to Eckert’s apartment when the murder occurred and subsequently drove her to her residence on Minot Air Force Base, was responsible for the murder, saying a timeline proves his client was on MAFB at the time of the killing.
Eckert was killed by a gunshot wound to the face. The murder weapon was recovered near the scene.
The trial began last Thursday, with the State resting their case Monday morning. The defense rested its case Monday afternoon. The charge against Hoffman is a AA felony, punishable by up to life imprisonment without parole.
