Changes coming on defense in accidental shooting case

A teenager from the Fond du Lac Reservation accused of fatally shooting his friend in December has a new attorney, who intends to contest both the original second degree manslaughter charge along with a third-degree murder charge added in February.

Joseph James Fohrenkam, 18, is accused of unintentionally shooting his friend, 16-year-old Joseph James Peterson, during a night of drinking. According to the criminal complaint, Fohrenkam was drinking with four other young men in a pickup truck, which was parked outside a home on the 3600 block of Giiniw Road, on the Fond du Lac Reservation in St. Louis County Dec. 27. Fohrenkam allegedly had a pistol, which he was “showing off” and “waving around.,” according to witnesses. At least two of the witnesses said they thought Fohrenkam may have hit his arm on the center console when he was pulling it back, causing the pistol to discharge. Peterson was seated in the middle of the back seat. The bullet hit him below his left eye and killed him.

All three of the witnesses fled the scene before the police arrived, as did Fohrenkam and his mother. Both were apprehended more than a week later in Mahnomen County. Fohrenkam has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Bail is set at $400,000.

Fohrenkam was initially assigned a public attorney, but his family recently hired William Gatton, an attorney in Minneapolis.

“We’re contesting both charges,” Gatton told the Pine Knot News. “I don’t believe the evidence will show that the boy is guilty of either of these charges.”

He declined to say if was claiming Fohrenkam didn’t shoot Peterson. “That will come out in the trial,” he said. “It’s important to remind ourselves that a defendant is presumed innocent. It’s the duty of the state to prove these charges.”

During a settlement conference April 2 in St. Louis County District Court, Gatton asked Judge Eric Hylden to reset the case for omnibus hearing because the murder charge was added after the first hearing. An omnibus hearing is set for June 16.

— Pine Knot News