Defense: Murder Suspect Tried to Scare, Not Kill

WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) — The attorney for an Idaho man accused of killing a man outside a strip club in the North Dakota oil patch hub of Williston says his client was only trying to scare the man.

Jonathan Horvath is on trial in Wahpeton, where the case was moved because of extensive media coverage in Williston. He faces several charges including murder in the March 2013 shooting of 28-year-old Derrick Spiegel, of Williston, which authorities say happened following an argument.

The Daily News reports defense attorney Steven Mottinger told jurors during opening statements that Horvath might have pointed a gun at Spiegel, but it wasn't Horvath's intent to kill him.

Prosecutor Nathan Madden said Horvath fired three shots from a handgun, with the third bullet hitting Spiegel in the head.