North Dakota court denies Rice’s request for new judge

The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled that Judge Gary Lee improperly jailed Dallas Rice after rejecting a proposed plea agreement, finding Rice should have been given the required opportunity to withdraw his plea and that the judge lacked grounds to revoke his bond. The court restored Rice’s bond but declined to assign the case to a different judge, saying he had to seek Lee’s disqualification in district court first. Rice’s attorney has since filed a recusal request alleging that Lee treated him unfairly, and asked to pause the proceedings while that request is considered. Rice is charged in connection with more than $180,000 allegedly stolen from the Souris Valley Bowmen archery club, where he served as president.