A northeastern North Dakota man has lost
an appeal of his murder conviction for beating his brother to death
two years ago.
Rodney Chisholm of Manvel claimed he was defending himself when
he hit his brother, Donald Chisholm, with an iron pipe and put a
hose clamp around his neck.
At his trial, Rodney Chisholm said his brother had been
threatening to shoot him over a property dispute.
Rodney Chisholm's lawyer says the trial judge should have
allowed testimony about an incident where Donald Chisholm allegedly
threatened Rodney Chisholm with a pistol and shotgun.
The judge wouldn't allow testimony about the incident because it
happened at least 10 years before Donald Chisholm was killed.
The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously upheld the judge's
decision and the jury's murder verdict.
