The trial for an oil truck operator charged with masterminding the murders of an employee and business partner in North Dakota’s Bakken basin is due to start tomorrow.
James Henrikson faces a raft of charges, including multiple felony counts of conspiracy, solicitation of murder and murder-for-hire.
The trial was moved from Spokane to Richland, Washington to avoid prejudice.
Court documents show Henrikson withdrew his guilty plea last year after a judge ruled he was not informed of the mandatory minimum penalty of life imprisonment before entering his plea.
Three other men accused of carrying out the contract killings plead guilty to federal charges last September. The trio face up to 30 years in prison when they are sentenced, which is expected to take place after Henrikson’s trial.