Nichole Rice Demands New Judge as Husband Dallas Rice is Ordered to Appear for Archery Theft Trial

Nichole Rice seeks a new judge for the $183,000 theft case involving the Souris Valley Bowmen, as her husband is ordered to appear in court.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 4:18 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from KFYR

A Legal Challenge to the North Central District

The ongoing prosecution of a husband and wife accused of embezzling funds from a local archery organization has entered a complex procedural phase following a new court filing. Nichole Rice, who faces felony charges alongside her husband Dallas Rice, has formally demanded a change of judge, specifically requesting an appointee from outside the North Central Judicial District. This request targets Judge Gary Lee, who was only recently assigned to the case following the recusal of another local jurist. While the motion does not explicitly detail the grounds for the disqualification, it marks a significant attempt by the defense to shift the legal proceedings toward the South Central District, which covers a different set of North Dakota counties.

The History of Judicial Recusals

The shuffle of presiding officers in this financial crime case highlights the interconnected nature of the regional legal system. Judge Gary Lee inherited the assignment after Judge Steven Lautt removed himself from the proceedings, leaving the case in the hands of one of the few remaining veteran judges in a district comprising Ward, Mountrail, and Burke Counties. The defense's insistence on a judge from a separate district, such as the South Central District which includes Burleigh and Morton, suggests a strategic push for a bench entirely removed from the local North Central circuit. According to court records, the judiciary has not yet issued a final ruling on whether Nichole Rice’s demand for a total change of venue and personnel will be granted.

Legal Scrutiny and Past Acquittals

The request for a new judge comes as Nichole Rice remains a figure of significant public interest following her acquittal in a high profile 2025 murder trial. In that previous matter, which concerned the 2007 death of her roommate, the trial was moved to Grand Forks to ensure an impartial jury, resulting in a not guilty verdict. While Judge Richard Hagar presided over that lengthy murder case and Judge Gary Lee had no public involvement in it, the defense appears focused on ensuring no residual influence from past litigation impacts the current theft charges. This current case focuses strictly on financial allegations rather than violent crime, yet the shadow of her previous legal battles continues to influence the procedural motions filed by her couns...