31-CR-16-1826

StateofMinnesota
CountyofItasca

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court

6/28/2016 04:30:25 PM
Itasca County, MN

DistrictCourt
9thJudicialDistrict
ProsecutorFileNo.
CourtFileNo.

StateofMinnesota,

16CR00874
31-CR-16-1826

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff,

OrderofDetention

vs.
JOSEPHCHRISTENTHORESENDOB:12/13/1980
34409MarletteRoad
DeerRiver,MN56636
Defendant.
The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendantcommittedthefollowingoffense(s):
COUNTI
Charge:MurderintheSecondDegree,afelony
MinnesotaStatute:609.19.1(1),withreferenceto:609.19.1
MaximumSentence:40yearsprison
OffenseLevel:Felony
OffenseDate(onorabout):06/21/2016
Control#(ICR#):16003367
Charge Description: On or about June 21, 2016, in the County of Itasca, State of Minnesota, Joseph
Christen Thoresen caused the death of a human being with intent to effect the death of that person or
another,butwithoutpremeditation.

31-CR-16-1826

STATEMENTOFPROBABLECAUSE

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court

6/28/2016 04:30:25 PM
Itasca County, MN

TheComplainantstatesthatthefollowingfactsestablishprobablecause:

OnJune24,2016,at11:56p.m.,OfficerCowanobservedavehicletravelinginDeerRiverwithan
obstructedlicenseplateandthepassengerwasnotwearinghisseatbelt.Saidofficerinitiatedatrafficstop
andnotedthatthesuspectvehicletriedtofleefromsaidofficer.Saidofficernotedthatthesuspectvehicle
approachedspeedsover90mphbeforethedriverturnedontoItascaCountyRoad128,lostcontrolofthe
vehicle,andwentintotheditch.Saidofficernotedthatthevehiclewasdrivenoutoftheditchandtraveled
northonC.R.128atspeedsover60mph.SaidofficernotedthatthevehicletraveledonC.R.128forabout
6milesbeforeslidingintotheditch.Duringthepursuit,saidofficernotedthatthepassengerdoorwas
opened,thatthepassengerlosthisshoewhentryingtogetout,thatthepassengerdoorclosedandthe
vehiclecontinuedtofleesaidofficer.
Saidofficernotedthatthedriverandpassengerexitedthevehicle.Saidofficernotedthatthedriverran
intothewoods,waslaterlocatedatanearbyhouse,identifiedasT.M.C.,arrested,andtransportedtojail.
Thepassenger,lateridentifiedasJosephChristenThoresen,wasorderedbygunpointtotheground,
placedintohandcuffsandlaterreleased.
SaidofficerspokewithT.M.C.T.M.C.statedthathefledfromofficer,thatThoresenpulledaknifeandtold
himtokeepgoingandtonotstop.SaidofficernotedthataknifewasnotlocatedonThoresenorinthe
vehicle.
T.M.C.statedthatThoresentoldhimthathekilledthevehicleownerseveraldaysearlier,thathehithim
overtheheadwithabaseballbatandstabbedhiminthelungs,thathecutoffhishead,andthathe
draggedhisbodyintothewoods.
SaidofficerlaterreceivedinformationthatthesuspectvehiclewasownedbyD.A.H.fromHibbingandthat
D.A.H.hasbeenreportedmissingtotheHibbingPoliceDepartment.
OnJune26,2016,InvestigatorJohnsonspokewithCaptainHalversonoftheHibbingPoliceDepartment.
SaidcaptainstatedthatonJune25,2016at7:36p.m.,D.A.H.wasreportedmissing,thatD.A.H.hadnot
shownupforwork,andthatD.A.H.hasnotbeenseeninthelastfivedays.
OnJune26,2016,saidinvestigatorspokewithT.M.C.T.M.C.statedthatthispastTuesdayorWednesday,
ThoresencametohisresidenceinavehiclethatbelongedtoD.A.H.T.M.C.statedthatThoresentoldhim
thatheandhisgirlfriend,lateridentifiedasK.D.G.,wereridingwithD.A.H.inhisvehicleandwentintothe
woods.T.M.C.statedthatThoresentoldhimthathehadD.A.H.checktheoil,thathehithimonthehead
withabaseballbat,andthathestabbedhiminthelungswithablackmachetewithholesinit.T.M.C.stated
thatThoresentoldhimthathecutoffD.A.H.sheadandputitinabagandthenthrewitinthewoods.
T.M.C.statedthatThoresentoldhimthathedraggedD.A.H.sbodyintothewoods.
T.M.C.statedthathedidnotinitiallybelieveThoresen.T.M.C.statedthatadayortwolater,Thoresenand
K.D.G.showedupathisresidencewithablood-coveredbatandleftthebatathisresidence.T.M.C.stated
thathegotscaredandburntthebatinhisfirepitonFridaymorning.T.M.C.statedthathealsofounda
shoeinhisyard,thathedoesnotknowwhotheshoebelongsto,andthathethrewtheshoeinthefire.
T.M.C.statedthatThoresentoldhimthatthemacheteusedinthekillingisinhisapartment.
T.M.C.statedthatThoresenandK.D.G.broughtabagofpropertytohisresidence,includingalaptop,
2

31-CR-16-1826

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court

6/28/2016 04:30:25 PM
schoolbags,aGalaxy3cellphoneandabrownwallet.T.M.C.statedthathebelievedtheitemsbelonged
Itasca County, MN
toD.A.H.T.M.C.statedthatThoresenthrewhimthewallet,thatthewalletwasempty,andthatthewalletis
neartheporchtohisresidence.T.M.C.statedthatThoresenandK.D.G.tooktherestofthepropertywith
themwhentheylefthisresidence.T.M.C.statedthatThoresentoldhimthathetiedupD.A.H.inhis
apartment.

SaidinvestigatorreceivedinformationthatJune21,2016isthelasttimetherewasanyactivityonD.A.H.s
cellphone.SaidinvestigatorreceivedinformationthatJune20,2016isthelasttimetherewasanyactivity
onD.A.H.sFacebookpage.
OnJune26,2016,saidinvestigatorswenttoThoresensandK.D.G.sapartmentinGrandRapids.
InvestigatorWellerspokewithThoresen.ThoresenstatedthathehasnothadanycontactwithD.A.H.for
twotothreeweeks.Thoresenlatershowedsaidinvestigatorhiscellphone,andsaidinvestigatornoteda
textconversationbetweenThoresenandD.A.H.onJune20,2016.Thoresenwasarrestedandtransported
tojail.
InvestigatorJohnsonlocatedK.D.G.sleepinginabedroom.SaidinvestigatorlaterspokewithK.D.G.
K.D.G.statedthatThoresenandD.A.H.wenttothefrontofthevehicle,thatthehoodwasopened,andthat
ThoresenstruckD.A.H.withabaseballbatandstabbedhimwithalargeblackknifeintheabdomenand
lowerback.K.D.G.statedthatThoresencutoffD.A.H.sheadandthrewitinthewoods.K.D.G.statedthat
ThoresendraggedD.A.H.sbodyintothewoods.K.D.G.statedthatThoresenspantswerecoveredin
bloodfromthekneedown,thattheknifehadholesinit,thatithasbloodonit,thatitisunderherbedand
thatherfingerprintswillbeontheknifebecauseshemovedit.
K.D.G.statedthatthekillingoccurrednearBallClubandisnotfamiliarwiththearea.K.D.G.rodewith
InvestigatorWellertotheBallClubarea.Duringtheride,K.D.G.statedthatafterthekilling,theydroveback
totheirapartmentandThoresencleaneduptheblood.
SaidinvestigatornotedthatK.D.G.identifiedtheareawherethekillingtookplace.Saidinvestigator
receivedinformationthatD.A.H.storsowaslocatedat9:30a.m.,andthatD.A.H.sheadwaslocatedat
10:30a.m.SaidinvestigatorreceivedinformationthatD.A.H.storsoandheadwerelocatedinItasca
CountyinthevicinityidentifiedbyK.D.G.OfficersnotedtraumatoD.A.H.storsoandheadandnotedthatit
appearedthatD.A.H.storsoappearedtohavebeendraggedtothelocationwherethetorsowasfound.
OfficersexecutedasearchwarrantatT.M.C.sresidence,andseizedmultipleitemsincludingaknifeand
bagslocatedinthewoodsnearthefirepitthatcontainedmensclothingandmultipleformsofidentification
cardsforD.A.H.
OfficersexecutedasearchwarrantatThoresensandK.D.G.sresidence.Officersnotedsuspectedblood
andotherphysicalevidenceconsistentwithanaltercationinthebedroom.
InvestigatorWellerspokewithK.D.G.ShestatedthatThoresentoldherthatD.A.H.wascomingover,that
shewasupsetandtoldThoresenthatD.A.H.rapedherintheirbedroom.ShestatedthatD.A.H.arrivedat
theirapartmentthatday,thatsheconfrontedD.A.H.,thatshepunchedD.A.H.,thatD.A.H.agreedtobetied
upandbeatup,thatshetiedupD.A.H.withropeinthebedroom,shepunchedD.A.H.inthefaceand
brokehisnoseandkickedhiminthegut,thatsheuntiedD.A.H.,thatThoresenpunchedD.A.H.and
repeatedlytoldD.A.H.thatshouldnothaverapedmygirl.Shestatedtheytalkedaboutscoringsome
bud,thattheyleftinD.A.H.scar,thatThoresondroveD.A.H.scar,thatshewasthefrontpassenger,that
D.A.H.wasintheback,andthatabaseballbatandaknifewereinthebackseat.Shestatedthatthey
drovetoDeerRiverandsmokedsomebudwithsomepeopleshewouldnotidentify,thattheydrovetoBall
Clubandsmokedmethwithanunidentifiedfriend,thattheydrovearoundinthewoods,thatD.A.H.
3

31-CR-16-1826

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court

6/28/2016 04:30:25 PM
repeatedlycalledthemworthlesspiecesof-hitandcalledheraslut,theyThoresenandD.A.H.argued,that
Itasca County, MN
therewassomecartrouble,thatThoresengotoutandopenedthehood,thatD.A.H.gotoutandthey
argued,thatsheheardaloudthud,thatThoresenstabbedD.A.H.multipletimes,thatshetriedtostop
Thoresen,thatD.A.H.wasonthegroundgroaningandaskingforher,thatThoresentookalargeknifefrom
D.A.H.sbeltloopandcutoffD.A.H.shead,andthatthiswasnotmyJoe.

31-CR-16-1826

SIGNATURESANDAPPROVALS

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court

6/28/2016 04:30:25 PM
Itasca County, MN

ComplainantrequeststhatDefendant,subjecttobailorconditionsofrelease,be:
(1)arrestedorthatotherlawfulstepsbetakentoobtainDefendant'sappearanceincourtor
(2)detained,ifalreadyincustody,pendingfurtherproceedingsandthatsaidDefendantotherwise
bedealtwithaccordingtolaw.
Complainantdeclaresunderpenaltyofperjurythateverythingstatedinthisdocumentistrueand
correct.Minn.Stat.358.116Minn.R.Crim.P.2.01,subds.1,2.
Complainant

RobinJohnson
DeputySheriff
440NEFirstAvenue
GrandRapids,MN55744
Badge:712

ElectronicallySigned:
06/28/201603:10PM
itascaCounty,minnesota

Beingauthorizedtoprosecutetheoffensescharged,Iapprovethiscomplaint.
ProsecutingAttorney ToddS.Webb
ChiefAssistantItascaCounty
Attorney
123NEFourthStreet
GrandRapids,MN55744
(218)327-2867

ElectronicallySigned:
06/28/201603:02PM

31-CR-16-1826

FINDINGOFPROBABLECAUSE

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court

6/28/2016 04:30:25 PM
Itasca County, MN

From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendants arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendants appearance in court, or Defendants detention, if already in custody,
pendingfurtherproceedings.Defendantisthereforechargedwiththeabove-statedoffense(s).

SUMMONS
THEREFOREYOU,THEDEFENDANT,ARESUMMONEDtoappearon___________,_____at_____AM/PM
beforetheabove-namedcourtat123NEFourthStreet,GrandRapids,MN55744toanswerthiscomplaint.
IFYOUFAILTOAPPEARinresponsetothisSUMMONS,aWARRANTFORYOURARRESTshallbeissued.

WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36hoursafterthearrestorassoonassuchJudgeorJudicialOfficerisavailabletobedealtwithaccordingtolaw.
ExecuteinMNOnly

ExecuteNationwide

ExecuteinBorderStates

X ORDEROFDETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detainedpendingfurtherproceedings.
Bail:$
ConditionsofRelease:
Thiscomplaint,dulysubscribedandsworntoorsignedunderpenaltyofperjury,isissuedbytheundersignedJudicialOfficer
asofthefollowingdate:June28,2016.
JudicialOfficer

DKoreyWahwassuck
DistrictJudge

ElectronicallySigned:06/28/201603:27PM

SworntestimonyhasbeengivenbeforetheJudicialOfficerbythefollowingwitnesses:

COUNTYOFITASCA
STATEOFMINNESOTA

StateofMinnesota
LAWENFORCEMENTOFFICERRETURNOFSERVICE

Plaintiff

IherebyCertifyandReturnthatIhaveservedacopyofthisOrderof
DetentionupontheDefendanthereinnamed.

vs.

SignatureofAuthorizedServiceAgent:

JosephChristenThoresen
Defendant