Man Who Murdered Cody Holte Wants New Trial

The man convicted of killing Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte is asking for a new trial. But there’s resistance from the State of North Dakota.  In July 2021, Salamah Pendleton was convicted of killing his mother and Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte during a confrontation in May of 2020 at Pendleton’s home.  Pendleton was also convicted of two counts of attempted murder, terrorizing and reckless endangerment.  He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.  Last October, Pendleton filed for post-conviction relief—three years after his conviction became final.  But North Dakota has a 2 year statute of limitations to file for that relief. A Grand Forks County judge dismissed the case for that reason.  On appeal, Pendleton claimed that ineffective assistance from his attorney qualifies as newly discovered evidence and that would allow the case to proceed.  Prosecutors are pushing back, saying Pendleton never said what the newly discovered evidence is,,,,so therefore, that evidence can’t be introduced in the appeal.  The North Dakota Supreme Court will hear Pendleton’s appeal in September.