Man Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Tribal Casino Stabbing, Cites Memory Loss

A man accused of fatally stabbing a woman at a tribal casino has pleaded not guilty, claiming he has no recollection of the incident.

Last month, law enforcement officers responded to a reported stabbing at a tribal casino, where a woman was found fatally wounded on the property. Authorities later arrested Rigoberto Mendez Morales, 58, in connection with the incident.

The victim was identified as a Native woman enrolled with the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

Mendez Morales appeared via Zoom from the Ward County Jail before the U.S. District Court for North Dakota, using a Spanish interpreter, and entered a not guilty plea to a charge of second-degree murder within Indian country. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice Senechal ordered that he remain in custody pending trial, which is currently scheduled to begin on April 14.

Defense attorneys argue the defendant was experiencing a severe mental health episode at the time of the incident and is unable to remember the events that led to the woman’s death.

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What Prosecutors Allege

According to charging documents, the defendant allegedly attacked the victim with a knife on the casino floor or in a public area of the property, prompting an immediate response from casino security and law enforcement.

Prosecutors allege:

• The attack was sudden and violent
• The victim suffered fatal stab wounds
• The defendant was detained shortly after the incident

Authorities have not alleged a prior relationship between the defendant and the victim.

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Defense Raises Mental Health Claims

During court proceedings, defense counsel stated that the defendant has no memory of the stabbing, attributing the claimed blackout to an acute mental health episode.

Defense arguments include:

• The defendant was not in a stable mental state
• He does not recall possessing a weapon
• He does not remember the alleged attack

The court has ordered additional evaluations to determine the defendant’s competency and mental state at the time of the incident.

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Court Proceedings and Charges

The defendant has formally entered a not guilty plea to murder charges. A judge has ordered that he remain in custody pending the outcome of the case.

Potential next steps include:

• Mental health evaluations
• Pretrial hearings
• Motions related to evidence and competency

If convicted, the defendant could face a lengthy prison sentence under applicable state or federal law, depending on jurisdiction.

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Tribal Casino Jurisdiction

Because the incident occurred at a tribal casino, jurisdictional issues may factor into how the case is prosecuted.

Tribal casinos operate under a combination of:

• Tribal law
• State agreements
• Federal jurisdiction in certain violent crimes

Authorities have not indicated that jurisdictional disputes are affecting the prosecution in this case.

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Casino and Public Safety Response

Casino operators have not commented on the specifics of the case, citing the ongoing legal process.

Following the incident:

• Casino security protocols were reviewed
• Law enforcement presence was increased temporarily
• Victim support resources were offered to staff and witnesses

Gaming facilities are generally required to maintain surveillance systems and coordinate closely with local and tribal law enforcement.

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Why This Case Matters

The case has drawn attention to:

• Public safety at casino properties
• The role of mental health in violent crime defenses
• Legal standards for memory loss claims

Legal experts note that claims of amnesia do not automatically preclude prosecution, but they can influence evaluations of competency and criminal responsibility.

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What Happens Next

The case will continue through the court system, with additional hearings expected in the coming months.

Key developments to watch include:

• Results of mental health evaluations
• Rulings on admissibility of evidence
• Scheduling of a trial date

No timeline has been announced for when the case may go to trial.

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Bottom Line

A man accused of killing a woman at a tribal casino has pleaded not guilty, asserting that he cannot remember the alleged stabbing.

As the case moves forward, the court will weigh forensic evidence, witness testimony, and mental health evaluations to determine criminal responsibility.

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