Landlord convicted of attacking tenant

FARGO (AP) — A Cass County jury deliberated for less than 75 minutes Thursday before finding a West Fargo landlord guilty of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment for running over his ex-tenant with his Hummer.

Seventy-three-year-old Alois Vetter faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for each conviction when he is sentenced in about two months.

Jurors also found that the Hummer constituted a dangerous weapon, meaning Vetter must serve a minimum of two years in prison.

Vetter’s lawyer, Mark Meyer, said Vetter didn’t know he had run over 31-year-old Brian Hemphill in February and was acting in self-defense because another tenant had moved behind the Hummer.

Assistant State’s Attorney Cherie Clark told the Forum that Vetter had many other opportunities to seek help.

Tags: news, crime, court, assault