Supreme court turns down appeal of man convicted in the murder of his wife

Spencer Moen trial (KFGO file)

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – The North Dakota Supreme Court has rejected Spencer Moen’s appeal for a new trial.

The opinion was unanimous in upholding the guilty verdict against the West Fargo man.

Moen argued the district court violated his constitutional right to confront witnesses because it failed to comply with legal requirements for allowing remote testimony by child witnesses. Last December, Moen was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the beating death of his wife, Sonja. Moen’s lawyer had asked for a sentence of 20 years.

Cass County District Court Judge Nicholas Chase said Moen had multiple opportunities to end his assault, or to seek help while his wife laid in a bathtub dying in August of 2023.