SECOND-DEGREE MURDER TRIAL TO MOVE FORWARD IN COTTONWOOD COUNTY

A second-degree murder trial in Cottonwood County is moving forward.  At a hearing Tuesday, Judge Christine Wietzema denied three motions by defense attorneys for No Name Given Happy who has been charged in connection with a fatal stabbing New Year’s Eve in Windom.  The judge denied a defense motion to suppress statements made by the defendant to law enforcement, as well as denied a motion for a change of trial venue and also denied a motion to release the knife for testing by the defense.  Happy pled not guilty to all charges at his arraignment Tuesday.  A pre-trial hearing will be held May 23 with the trial scheduled to start June 5.