PROSECUTION RESTS IN COTTONWOOD COUNTY MURDER CASE

The prosecution rested Thursday in the Cottonwood County murder trial of 26-year-old No Name Given Happy.  Happy is charged with second-dgree murder, second-degree assault and making terroristic threats stemming from a stabbing incident on New Year’s Eve at Phat Pheasant Pub in Windom.  The only witness Thursday was Ramsey County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kelly Mills who performed an autopsy on the victim – 30-year-old Benjamin Matter of Windom.   Mills testified that Matter sustained two sharp-force wounds – one in the chest area, which was likely the fatal wound.  The other in the lower abdomen.  After Mills’ testimony, the state rested its case.  The defense made motions for a judgement of acquittal on all counts claiming the state had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.  The judge denied the motions.  During questioning, Happy stated that he intended to testify.  The trial is off today (Friday) and will resume Monday morning.