Mandan Man Pleads “Not Guilty” to Murder, Arson

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — A Mandan man accused of killing a neighbor and setting a mobile home on fire to cover up the crime has pleaded not guilty.

Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Friesz faces felony charges of murder and arson in the Oct. 9 death of Gene Jassmann. Authorities allege Friesz shot Jassmann in the head with a .22-caliber rifle after the two argued, then lit the home on fire.

Friesz could face life in prison without parole if convicted. A trial date was not immediately scheduled. The trial is expected to take about a week.