Trial Delayed In Grand Forks Somali Restaurant Fire Case
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Trial has been delayed for a Minnesota man accused of starting a fire that heavily damaged a Somali restaurant across the North Dakota border in Grand Forks.
Twenty-five-year-old Matthew Gust of East Grand Forks earlier pleaded not guilty to a charge of malicious use of explosive materials and was scheduled for trial beginning March 15 in Fargo.
Related: East Grand Forks Man Charged In Somali Restaurant Fire
Court documents show that the defense asked for more time to prepare, and U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson has rescheduled the trial for May 3.
Authorities say the Dec. 7 fire at the Juba Coffee House was started by a homemade explosive and caused an estimated $90,000 in damage. Vandals earlier spray-painted what some have described as a Nazi-like symbol on the business, but investigators don't know if that's connected to the fire.
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