N.D. Supreme Court hears Fargo murder appeal

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An attorney for a Fargo man who was convicted of murder says police stopped and questioned his client only because he is black.

Ross Brandborg told the North Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday that police illegally stopped Elijah Addai (ah-DAY') shortly after an argument and stabbing in south Fargo in August 2007.

David Delonais of Moorhead, Minn., died of stab wounds. Addai was convicted of murder last December and is serving a life sentence.

Addai was riding in a car driven by a woman, and Brandborg says the driver was only speeding in a parking lot. He says Addai's conviction should be reversed.

Cass County prosecutor Leah Viste (LEE'-uh VIS'-tee) says race wasn't the only factor in the stop.

She says the car was moving quickly through a deserted parking lot early Sunday morning, a half-block away from where the stabbing happened. She says Addai was also acting agitated inside the car.

The Supreme Court will rule on the case later.

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