Next court dates set for Brandt and Braun

New court dates have been set for Shannon Brandt, accused of murdering McHenry teenager Cayler Ellingson, and Matthew Braun, who’s accused of burglarizing local bars in downtown New Rockford.

After Brandt’s original charge of vehicular homicide was dismissed and upgraded to murder, his initial appearance was held relatively soon after on Oct. 13. However, his preliminary hearing and/or arraignment isn’t on the docket until Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Meanwhile, Matthew Braun, who allegedly broke into Hanson’s Bar and the Eagles Club in New Rockford back in August, has had his preliminary hearing and/or arraignment pushed back to Thursday, Nov. 10.

At a preliminary hearing, the judge decides if there is enough evidence mounted against the defendant for them to stand trial, while an arraignment is where the defendant can enter their plea of either guilty, not guilty or no contest.

Braun, who was arrested and booked at the Stutsman County Correctional Center on August 14, has since been charged with two additional Class A misdemeanors.

According to court documents, on the same day Braun was arrested for burglary and other charges, he was also found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, namely a glass pipe with residue.

Meanwhile, following a recent incident at Spirit Lake Marina in Benson County, Ernest Raines of New Rockford was charged with three counts of terrorizing, three counts of disorderly conduct, ingesting a controlled substance and discrimination in public places.

According to court documents, Raines was at Spirit Lake Marina on Thursday, Oct. 6, where he was under the influence of multiple drugs, including opioids and THC.

The documents allege Raines had an outburst at the marina, during which he stated, “drop a bomb on this place and shoot a native in the hand and all they do is steal and drink.”

The document further alleges, “The defendant, with intent to place another human being in fear for that human being’s or another’s safety, or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror, threatened to commit a crime of violence or act dangerous to human life.”

For that one statement, Raines was charged with three counts of terrorizing, a Class C felony - one for each of the alleged victims who had reason to fear for his or her safety following the statement.

The discriminatory nature of Raines’ language to Native Americans also lead to a charge of discrimination in public places, a Class B misdemeanor.

His alleged behavior also got him three charges of disorderly conduct, each a Class B misdemeanor for one of the alleged victims - and following a urinalysis test he was charged with ingesting a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor.

Raines’ preliminary hearing and/or arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m.

Raines is considered innocent unless proven guilty.