A jury in Morton County deliberated about three hours before reaching the verdict Wednesday. The jury found that Arthur Funk was not guilty of murder and negligent homicide. A murder conviction carried a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. The maximum punishment for manslaughter is 10 years.
Authorities say Keven Stockert was stabbed nine times during a dispute over the return of a car belonging to Stockert’s girlfriend. Funk allegedly had been staying with her and hadn’t returned her car. Funk claimed self-defense.
